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Content tagged with "OUGHT TO"

5 item(s) found.

Modals expressing present and future prediction / expectation / assumption

To express prediction, expectation and assumption, the following auxiliariesA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") are used.

SHOULD and OUGHT TO

You should be on time.
We ought to protect the environment.

In writing, should can also be used to express a strong obligation politely:

Guests should vacate their rooms by midday.

Modals expressing past criticism

To express past criticism the same auxiliariesA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") are used as in the case of present criticism. However, the infinitives that follow are perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. infinitives.

Modals expressing present and future advice

To advise someone what they should do, the following auxiliariesA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") can be used.

You should smoke less.
You had better leave.
You ought not to open that box, Pandora. (or: You oughtn't to open that box.)

Note that ought to is rather formalNot belonging to colloquial or everyday speech; official. E.g.: I demand that Mr Smith call the person on whom the committee has decided..

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