Usage of OUGHT TO

 

Usage of OUGHT TO

1. Used to say what is the right thing to do.

Ä They ought to apologize.

Ä ‘Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to).’

Ä They ought to have apologized (= but they didn’t).

Ä Such things ought not to be allowed.

Ä He oughtn’t to have been driving so fast.

2. Used to say what you expect or would like to happen.

Ä Children ought to be able to read by the age of 7.

Ä Nurses ought to earn more.

3. Used to say what you advise or recommend.

Ä We ought to be leaving now.

Ä This is delicious. You ought to try some.

Ä You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.

4. Used to say what has probably happened or is probably true.

Ä If he started out at nine, he ought to be here by now.

Ä That ought to be enough food for the four of us.

Ä Oughtn’t the water to have boiled by now?

 

*****