Cyril, you really oughtn't to be using the principal’s office while he was on holiday. vs Cyril, you really oughtn't have been using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. The first phrase 'cyril, you really oughtn't to be using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.' implies a general recommendation or advice about not using the office. The second phrase 'cyril, you really oughtn't have been using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.' suggests that Cyril used the office in the past while the principal was on holiday, and it may imply a sense of disapproval or regret.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 3527 views

Cyril, you really oughtn't to be using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to give advice or recommendations about present actions.

This phrase is used to advise someone against doing something at the present moment.

Show examples from the web [+]

Cyril, you really oughtn't to be using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.
Dude, you really ought let me finish.
You really ought to do something about your neighbors.
You really ought to go to sleep, Ann.
And I said, no, you really ought to study brains.
You know, you really ought to learn the employees' names.
You really ought to think about having lessons harmonica.
You really ought to be more careful with your code.
You really ought to talk to someone about your poster, Horace.
You know, you really ought to get a nicer ride.
Miss... You really ought to read the note.
You really ought to be the spoils of victory today.
Honey, you really ought to think this thing through.
Honey, you really ought to think this thing through.
You really ought to give it a try.
You really ought to study somebody else.
You really ought to work on that anger trigger.
You really ought to ring that agency.
You really ought to think about toning down the entrances a notch.
(CHUCKLES) You really ought to do an overhaul on your GPS units, Dean.
Inspector, I think you really ought to -

Alternatives:

cyril, you really shouldn't be using the principal’s office while he is on holiday.
cyril, you really ought not to use the principal’s office while he is on holiday.

Cyril, you really oughtn't have been using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express disapproval or regret about a past action.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone used the principal's office in the past while he was on holiday, with a sense of disapproval or regret.

Show examples from the web [+]

Cyril, you really oughtn't have been using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.
Dude, you really ought let me finish.
You really ought to do something about your neighbors.
You really ought to go to sleep, Ann.
And I said, no, you really ought to study brains.
You know, you really ought to learn the employees' names.
You really ought to think about having lessons harmonica.
You really ought to be more careful with your code.
You really ought to talk to someone about your poster, Horace.
You know, you really ought to get a nicer ride.
Miss... You really ought to read the note.
You really ought to be the spoils of victory today.
Honey, you really ought to think this thing through.
Honey, you really ought to think this thing through.
You really ought to give it a try.
You really ought to study somebody else.
You really ought to work on that anger trigger.
You really ought to ring that agency.
You really ought to think about toning down the entrances a notch.
(CHUCKLES) You really ought to do an overhaul on your GPS units, Dean.
Inspector, I think you really ought to -

Alternatives:

cyril, you really shouldn't have been using the principal’s office while he was on holiday.
cyril, you really ought not to have used the principal’s office while he was on holiday.

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