I should have ran...

[OneHandFlapping]

I've noticed a trend towards this kind of construction on MN: I should have ran, he must have swam, etc.

This is wrong isn't it? I've always said I should have run, he must have swum, but I ran, he swam.

Where has this come from?

No idea. Kind of annoying, but just be grateful it's not 'I should of ran'.

Or I should off ran

Your title grated...

Actually, you're right. It often is "I should of ran".

it's just on MN - down here I hear it all the time

My theory is the accent. In Northern pronunciation, Run sounds like it has a U in it, but in the South, it sounds like it's an A.
Therefore, audio corruption over time has led people to believe that the word has an A in it instead of a U.

think it over, you know it makes sense (say "She should have run" in a southern accent (one oft hose really thick ones) and you'll see what I mean)

Nope... I don't

you don't agree?
:(
am i just giving them the benefit of the doubt then?

It's extremely common in Scotland e.g. I should have gave him a present, she would have took a day's holiday. Wrong, but ubiquitous.

my mum does would have took, but it's the only one.
my mum didn't have much of an education, though.

Some of the children I teach say 'tooken' as in he's tooken my pencil! Actually, it's worse-it's often 'her's tooken my pencil' rather than 'she's tooken my pencil'

Arghhhh!