Should & Ought To

Give advice, make recommendations, and express expectations

What are Should and Ought To?

"Should" and "ought to" both express advice, recommendations, and expectations. They have almost identical meanings, but "should" is more common in everyday English. Both are softer than "must" and stronger than "could."

Compare: "You must stop smoking" (obligation) vs. "You should stop smoking" (advice) vs. "You could stop smoking" (suggestion).

When to Use SHOULD

1. Advice and Recommendations

You should see a doctor. (I recommend it)
She should study more if she wants to pass.
We should leave now to avoid traffic.
You should try this restaurant - it's great!
He should apologize for what he said.
They should save more money.

2. Expectations (What Is Right or Correct)

The meeting should start at 2 PM. (it's scheduled/expected)
This should work. (I expect it to work)
The train should arrive soon.
That should be enough money.
Everything should be fine.

3. Moral Obligation (What Is Right)

You should always tell the truth.
We should help people in need.
Parents should spend time with their children.
People should be kind to each other.
Everyone should vote in elections.

4. Likely Situations (Probability)

She left an hour ago, so she should be home by now.
With this map, we shouldn't get lost.
The weather should be nice tomorrow.
It should only take 10 minutes.

5. Conditional Situations

If you're tired, you should rest.
If it rains, you should take an umbrella.
If you have questions, you should ask the teacher.

When to Use OUGHT TO

1. Same Uses as "Should" (More Formal/Less Common)

You ought to see a doctor. (advice)
We ought to leave soon. (recommendation)
He ought to apologize. (moral obligation)
The train ought to arrive soon. (expectation)
People ought to be more careful.

Formation

SHOULD - Positive: Subject + should + base verb

I should go now.
You should try harder.
She should study more.
We should help them.
They should leave early.

SHOULD - Negative: Subject + should not (shouldn't) + base verb

You shouldn't smoke.
He shouldn't drive when tired.
We shouldn't waste time.
They shouldn't worry so much.

SHOULD - Question: Should + subject + base verb?

Should I call her?
Should we leave now?
What should I do?
Where should we go?

OUGHT TO - Positive: Subject + ought to + base verb

I ought to go now.
You ought to be more careful.
She ought to apologize.

OUGHT TO - Negative: Subject + ought not to (oughtn't to) + base verb

You ought not to do that. (very formal/rare)
She oughtn't to say those things.

Common Mistakes

❌ You should to go. → ✅ You should go. (no "to" after should)
❌ She shoulds study. → ✅ She should study. (no -s on modals)
❌ I should went. → ✅ I should go. (base form after should)
❌ You ought go. → ✅ You ought to go. (need "to" after ought)
❌ Should I to call? → ✅ Should I call?
❌ You don't should smoke. → ✅ You shouldn't smoke.
❌ He should studies. → ✅ He should study.
❌ I ought to went. → ✅ I ought to go.

Practice Tips

💡 Preference: "Should" is much more common than "ought to" in everyday English. When in doubt, use "should."
📝 Remember "to": "Should" doesn't need "to," but "ought" does. "Should go" vs. "ought TO go."
🎯 Advice practice: Practice giving advice: "If you want to..., you should..." "You shouldn't... because..."
⚖️ Strength levels: Must (strongest) > Should (medium) > Could (weakest). Choose based on how strong your advice is.
❓ Questions: "Should I...?" is common for asking advice. "What should I do?" "Should we leave now?"