should vs ought

Both 'should' and 'ought' are modal verbs that express obligation or duty. 'Should' is more commonly used in modern English, while 'ought' is considered more formal or old-fashioned. Both are correct, but 'should' is more widely used and understood.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1318 views

The modal verb 'should' is commonly used in modern English to express obligation or duty.

"should"

Use 'should' to express advice, obligation, or expectation. It is a versatile modal verb that can be used in various contexts.

Examples:

You should eat more vegetables.
She should be here by now.
I should call my parents tonight.
We should study for the exam.
He should apologize for his behavior.

Show examples from the web [+]

Available treatment and surveillance guidelines should be considered.
Through-ticketing systems should be interoperable and non-discriminatory.
This definition should anchor inflation expectations.
Fourth, governments should promote public-sector innovation.
All commercially non-sensitive information should be publicly available.
Only top management should decide what these objectives should be.
Each representative should have one vote as accreditation opinions should be technical and should not follow political instructions.
Talvez should ask Ronnie what I should do.
That you should swing and heads should roll.
We should be able to escape with minimal damage if the override command should fail.
Information exchange should improve and there should be competition and open bidding on projects.
A person that should leave, should hurry and leave.
We should implant two embryos and they should both be yours.
Doses should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated.
If symptomatic hypotension should occur, supportive treatment should be instituted.
Cardiovascular monitoring should commence immediately and should include continuous electrocardiographic monitoring for possible arrhythmias.
If severe or persistent hypotension occurs, hypovolemia should be considered and the condition should be managed with appropriate parenteral fluid therapy.
If symptomatic hypotension should occur, supportive treatment should be initiated.
Patients should be instructed to consult their physician immediately should pregnancy occur.
Patients should be monitored early during the infusion and appropriate supportive care should be available.

Alternatives:

ought to
need to
have to
must

'Ought' is a modal verb that expresses obligation or duty, but it is considered more formal or old-fashioned compared to 'should'.

"ought"

Use 'ought' in formal or literary contexts to express obligation or duty. It is less commonly used in everyday modern English.

Examples:

You ought to apologize for your mistake.
We ought to respect our elders.
He ought to have finished his homework by now.
She ought to be more careful.
They ought to arrive soon.

Show examples from the web [+]

We ought therefore to avoid infringing subsidiarity or creating excessive restrictions.
A person ought to feel unified.
Maybe you ought to take me back inside.
Maybe you ought to set up an easel on the sidewalk...
I ought get myself a tambourine.
You ought to disappear more often.
Especially since most of those people ought be in prison.
Ventilator's ought keep the organs fresh.
Europe ought to maintain its lead in maritime technology research.
Programmes for improving safety ought not to be excluded.
This oppressive silence ought no longer to exist nowadays.
Immigration ought to be one of these issues.
Now we ought to consolidate those proposals.
Our decisions ought to be science-based.
Hence they ought to be free of credit transactions.
The manifestation of Fiery Beings ought not destroy our consciousness.
This alone ought to give Reformed men and women pause.
Clearly those contemplating marriage ought to count the cost.
The district ought to generate 25,000 jobs.
So maybe you ought to think about that.

Alternatives:

should
need to
have to
must

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should vs ought

"should"

"ought"

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