had to be here yesterday

[navi tasan]

Are these sentences correct:
1-He had to be here yesterday but had an accident and couldn't make it.
2-He should have been here yesterday but had an accident and couldn't make it.

Does 2 have a tone of moral reproach (which would be out of place since it was not his fault that he had an accident).

Gratefully,
Navi.

 

[bhaisahab]

Only #2 is natural IMO. No, it doesn't "have a tone of moral reproach".

 

[Walt Whitman]

Only #2 is natural IMO. No, it doesn't "have a tone of moral reproach".

English teacher

Hi, bhaisahab.

My parents had to work very hard yesterday so I'll go and see them tomorrow.

Is this sentence correct? If so, how does it differ from navi's sentence (1)?
How about "He was supposed to be here yesterday but he had an accident..."?
Thanks a lot.
WW

 

[bhaisahab]

English teacher

Hi, bhaisahab.

My parents had to work very hard yesterday so I'll go and see them tomorrow. I can't see any logical connection between the two parts of the sentence. Why does the fact that your parents had to work very hard yesterday compel you to go to see them tomorrow?

Is this sentence correct? If so, how does it differ from navi's sentence (1)?
How about "He was supposed to be here yesterday but he had an accident..."? This is fine.
Thanks a lot.
WW

Bhai.

 

[Walt Whitman]

Context.
I’m worried about my son’s behaviour and I’d like to ask my parents for advice. Unfortunately, they had to work very hard yesterday (they went back home very late) and I was compelled to postpone my visit. So I’ll see them tomorrow.
Do you see any logical connection now?
Thank you again.
WW

 

[5jj]

The logical connection is there now, but we'd be far more likely to say, "They had to work (very) late'. In your original sentence, the connection was not clear, as bhaisahab noted.


My parents had to work very late yesterday so I'll go and see them tomorrow. That is fine.

 

[Walt Whitman]

Thank you, Bhai and 5jj.
I've been learning a lot with you all.
WW