"I had to" vs "I ought to"

Question

"I had to" vs "I ought to"

The phrases 'I ought to' and 'I had to' have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'I ought to' is used to express a suggestion or recommendation, while 'I had to' is used to indicate a necessity or obligation in the past. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: March 17, 2024

Use 'I had to' to explain that something was required or necessary in the past.

Examples:

I had to finish my homework before going out.
She had to leave early for an appointment.
He had to work overtime to meet the deadline.
We had to cancel the trip due to bad weather.
They had to wait for hours at the airport.

Alternatives:

I was required to
I needed to
I was obligated to
I was compelled to

Use 'I ought to' when you want to suggest that something is the right thing to do or when giving advice.

Examples:

I ought to call my parents more often.
You ought to see a doctor if you're feeling unwell.
She ought to study for her exams.
We ought to be more environmentally friendly.
He ought to apologize for his mistake.

Alternatives:

I should
I need to
I have to
I must

Answer 1

I had to

The phrase 'I had to' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a necessity or obligation in the past.

Answer 2

I ought to

The phrase 'I ought to' is correct and commonly used in English to express a suggestion or recommendation.

"I had to" vs "I ought to"

I had to

I ought to

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