"should" vs "ought"

Question

"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

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.

Alternatives:

ought to
need to
have to
must

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.

Alternatives:

should
need to
have to
must

Answer 1

should

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

Answer 2

ought

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

"should" vs "ought"

should

ought

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