should have come/should never have received

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GUEST2008

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Feb 20, 2008
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German
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Germany
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Sweden
Hi

It now seemed sinister that no one should have come to see her in the hospital and taken the chance of being recognized. It was sinister, too, that she should never have received a letter in all that time.

I take it to mean it was sinister that no one has ever come to visit her in hospital and that she never received a single letter. Am I correct?
 

Rover_KE

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Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
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British English
Home Country
England
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England
Yes, you're right.

You can replace should have come with came, and should never have received with never received.

Rover
 
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