(a) My clothes are dirty I (should/ought to) wash them
(b) Incorrect: I should to wash them
(c) Incorrect: I ought washing them
Should and ought to have the same meaning. They mean: “This is good idea. This is good advice.”
Forms:
Should + simple form of a verb (no to)
Ought + to + simple form of a verb
(d) You need your sleep. You should not (shouldn't) stay up late.
Negative: should + not= shouldn't (ought to is usually not used in negative)
(e) A: I’m going to be late. What should I do?
B: Run
Question: should + subject + main verb (ought to is usually not used in question)
(f) A: I’m tired today
B: You should/ought to go home and take a nap
(g) A: I’m tired today
B: Maybe you should/ought to go home and take a nap
The use of maybe with should and ought to”softens” advice.
Compare:
In (f): Speaker B is giving definite advice. He is stating clearly that he believe going home for a nap is a good idea and is the solution to speaker A’s problem.
In (g): Speaker B is making suggestion: going home for a nap is one possible way to solve speaker A’s problem.
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