Ought to be modal. Modal verb Ought To in English

Good day, dear friends. Today we will look at the topic “ought to modal verb”. Rules and tables will be presented to your attention.

This part of speech has only one form. After itself requires the infinitive of a verb with the particle to. The table below shows the forms of the modal verb.

I ought to (ought not to, oughtn’t to)	We ought to (ought not to, oughtn’t to)
	You ought to (ought not to, oughtn’t to)
He/She/It ought to (ought not to, oughtn’t to)	They ought to (ought not, oughtn’t to)

As can be seen from the table, it does not change.

As a rule, such a modal verb is rarely used in interrogative and negative constructions. The subject in this case is placed between the words ought and to.

Eg:

Ought we to deliver the goods by the end of March? – Do we have to deliver these goods by the end of March?
I ought not to have said those things to her. “I shouldn’t have told her that.”

Use of this part of speech in speech

In speech, ought to as a modal verb means “must/should.” Moreover, the object of the conversation “should”, not because it is his duty, but because he acts on the basis of moral principles. So, the main cases of using the modal verb:

To express a recommendation or give advice. Don’t forget about Mick’s birthday, you ought to buy him a present. – Don’t forget about Mick’s birthday, you should buy him a present.
To say what you think about a situation that is about to happen. They ought to be on time if they start now. “They should be in time if they start now.”
To tell someone what to do because it is their moral responsibility. You ought to ask for your teacher’s permission. – You must ask your teacher for permission.
To make a guess about a situation that you think is a good idea. She ought to take her father's advice. “She should listen to her father’s advice.”

How to build an affirmative sentence

The modal verb ought to is an independent part of speech, which is why it does not require the use of auxiliary verbs. In addition, ought always goes together with to. So, an affirmative sentence is constructed according to the following scheme:

The person in question + ought to + action.

I	ought to	dance
You
We		cook
They
She		write
He
It

For example:

People ought to eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day. – People should eat more vegetables and fruits every day.

Construction of a negative construction

The verb in question can be used with the particle not. In English speech, such a phrase will be perceived as advice or an order on what should not be done. The particle not is placed between ought and to. As a result, the negative sentence scheme looks like this:

The person in question + ought + not + to + action.

I				dance
You
We				cook
They
She				write
He
It

For example:

You ought not to stay up so late. -You shouldn't stay up so late.

Abbreviations are common in English. Instead of ought not to, oughtn’t to can be used.

Eg:

You oughtn’t to miss this meeting. You must not miss this meeting.

Construction of an interrogative construction

In speech, the use of this modal verb is appropriate when we want to ask for advice on what to do. In this case, ought is placed first in the design. In turn, to remains in its place and is located after the actor. Thus, the proposal will look like:

Ought + person in question + to + action?

	I		dance?
	You
	We		cook?
	They
	She		write?
	He
	It

For example:

Ought I to give up smoking? – Should I quit smoking?

To answer the question asked, you should use oughtn’t to or ought to.

Eg:

Yes, you wanted to. - Yes, it should.

Or, to answer the question, you should use other constructions that fit the meaning. You can see them in the table below.

Constructing an interrogative construction using qualifying words

When clarifying information, we can use the following words:

When constructing an interrogative sentence, the qualifying word comes first. Further, the word order is the same as in a regular question. So, the education scheme:

Specifying word +ought + actor + to + action?

What	I	dance?
	you
	we	cook?
	they
	she	write?
	he
	it

Eg:

What ought he to buy her? - What should he buy her?

Features of the part of speech under consideration

This modal verb has some features:

It has only one form, but it is always followed by an infinitive with the particle to. Josh ought to wake up earlier not to be late for school. Josh should wake up earlier so as not to be late for school.
The infinitive that follows the model verb specifies the time of action. Present or future tense – ought to do something. She ought to go to the doctor. – She should go to the doctor. (in future). Present continuous – ought to be doing something. You ought to be sleeping now and you are watching TV. – You should sleep now, and you are watching TV. Past tense – ought to have done something. You ought to have decided that a long time ago. “You should have decided this a long time ago.”
In American English, the negative form is not used, and in British English its use is only a formality. Instead of ought not, shouldn’t is used. Jill ought not to run so fast. = Jill shouldn’t run so fast. “Jill shouldn’t run so fast.”
The interrogative construction with this model verb is a formality. And, as a rule, it is not used or used very rarely. Ought we to worry about the fine? – Should we worry about the fine?

Ought to and should

Ought to is confused by some with the modal verb should. In fact, these are interchangeable words, however, there is still some difference between them. Should is used in the following cases:

Advice is given in the first person. I should leave early tomorrow, if I were you - If I were you, I would leave early in the morning.
When the advice comes from a reputable source. The computer should be disconnected from the power supply before the cover is removed – The computer must be disconnected from the power supply before the cover is removed.
In interrogative constructions it is still preferable to use should. What should I do if I have any problems? – What should I do if I have problems?

So, we have finished analyzing the topic of the modal verb ought to in British and American English. To consolidate the information received, it is necessary to complete self-control tasks.

Modal verbs should And ought to are used in only one form of the present tense for all persons. In most cases they are indistinguishable in meaning and can freely replace each other. Should And ought to express moral obligation, duty, advice, assumptions, expectations and are translated as “ must», « should», « should», « more likely».

After ought The infinitive of the semantic verb with a particle is always used to, and then should particle to never used. They never change in indirect speech.

After should And ought to Verbs in all infinitive forms can be used: Simple Infinitive, Continuous Infinitive, Perfect Infinitive, Perfect Continuous Infinitive.

Past	The present	Future
Perfect/Perfect Continuous	Simple/Continuous Infinitive	Simple Infinitive
You should have done it. You should have done it.	You should do it now. You must do this now.	You should do it tomorrow. You'll have to do it tomorrow.
You ought to have been studying harder last year. You should have studied harder last year.	You ought to be studying harder. You have to study harder (now).	You ought to help your parents when they are old. You will have to help your parents when they get old.

Statement

Should And ought to often used in affirmative sentences, expressing advice, obligation, the speaker's expectations, assumption, probability of something.

Advice
It's late already. You should go to bed.- It's already late. You should go to bed.
Jessica ought to go home now. Her mom is worrying. Jessica must come home now. Her mom is worried.
You ought to be studying harder this year.– You should study harder this year.
They should be helping their parents more as they are old.– They should help their parents more, since they are old.

Obligation, duty
We should stop him! He is going to commit a crime!- We have to stop him! He intends to commit a crime!
I ought to help everyone who is in need.– I must help everyone who is in need.

Guess or probability
Don't forget your coat. It should be chilly outside.- Don't forget your cloak. It must be cool outside.
I want to go to Paris but it ought to be expensive.– I want to go to Paris, but it’s probably expensive.

Sentences in which after should And ought to The perfect infinitive and the perfect continuous infinitive are used, meaning that the desired action did not occur.

Ann should have been studying harder last year. Anne should have studied more hard last year. (reproach)
They ought to have been more careful on the road.“They should have been more careful on the road.”

Negation

In negative sentences with modal verbs should And ought to particle not is added after modal verbs ( should not And ought not to). Such sentences are translated as “ do not do it», « not worth it», « must not be».

You should not go outside late.-You shouldn't leave the house late.
Tom ought not to be driving now. He looks really tired.- Tom shouldn't be driving now. He looks tired.

shouldn't = shouldn't
Those children shouldn’t be playing near the road.“Those children shouldn’t play near the road.”

ought not to = oughtn’t to
Don't take your coat. It oughtn’t to be cold outside.- Don't take your cloak. It shouldn't be cold outside.

Negative constructions with perfect infinitive and perfect continuous infinitive ( should not have, ought not to have been) express reproach because something undesirable happened.

Jack shouldn't have said that to his mother.“Jack shouldn’t have said that to his mother.”
I oughtn't to have been skipping my classes.“I shouldn’t have skipped my classes.”

Question

In interrogative sentences should And ought to stand at the beginning of a sentence before the subject or after a question word. There are also negative questions " Shouldn't..?" And " Oughtn’t to..?", which translates as " really?», « is not it?».

Ought we to help everyone who is in need?– Should we help everyone who is in need?
Why ought Matt to do this?– Why should Matt do this?

Should I come to your house and help you?– Do I need to come to you and help?
Where Should I put this box?-Where should I put this box?
Why are you here? Shouldn't you be studying now?- Why are you here? Shouldn't you be studying now?

If you should see Tom tonight, can you tell him to phone me?– If you happen to meet Tom this evening, can you tell him to call me?
If you see Tom tonight, can you tell him to phone me?– If (when) you meet Tom this evening, can you tell him to call me?

If it should rain, can you bring in the washing from the garden?– If it suddenly rains, can you bring the washed clothes from the yard?
Should it be sunny, can you hang out the washing in the garden?– If it’s suddenly sunny, can you hang your laundry in the yard?

Today we will look at the modal verb ought to. This verb has several meanings in English. With its help, we can give advice, make assumptions, and also talk about responsibilities.

In this article you will learn: situations in which ought to is used, examples and schemes for constructing sentences with this verb.

The verb ought to is translated as “should/must.” The meaning of this verb is very similar to the verb should. We use it in the following cases:

1. When we tell someone to do something because it is the best and smartest thing to do.
For example: You should call and find out first, and then go.

You look tired. You ought to rest for an hour or two.
You look tired. You need to rest for an hour or two.

Our company ought to change our policy.
Our company must change its policy.

2. To make a guess about what you think is a good idea. This is especially true for situations of relationships between people.
For example: You should meet him and talk.

I think that he ought to apologize to her.
I think he should apologize to her.

She ought to take her father's advice.
She should listen to her father's advice.

3. To say that someone should do something or something should happen because it is morally right or just
For example: Doctors must provide the necessary care to victims.

You ought to ask for your teacher's permission.
You must ask your teacher for permission.

We oughtto be more interested in environmental issues.
We must take more interest in environmental issues.

4. Used to say that you think something is going to happen or is probably true.
For example: The introduction of new technologies should make the work of many professions easier.

They ought to be on time if they start now.
They should make it if they start now.

This team oughtto win.
This team must win.

Affirmative sentences with the verb ought to in English

The verb ought to is independent, so it does not require auxiliary verbs. Also, as you have already noticed, ought is required in combination with the particle to. When we want to make a statement, the sentence structure will be as follows:

The one in question + ought to + action

I
You
We		dance
They	ought to	write
She		cook
He
It

You ought to read English aloud.
You should read English out loud.

He ought to set an example for the others.
He should become an example for others.

Negative sentences with the verb ought to in English

We can use the verb ought to in combination with the particle not. Thus, we are saying that a person should not do something. We place the particle not between ought and to: ought not to. Scheme for constructing such a proposal:

The one in question + ought + not + to + action

I
You
We				dance
They	ought	not	to	write
She				cook
He
It

She oughtnotto waste your time.
She shouldn't waste her time.

You ought not to stay up so late.
You shouldn't stay out so late.

Reduction!

We can shorten ought not to as follows: oughtn't to.

You oughtn" tto miss this meeting.
You must not miss this meeting.

Interrogative sentences with the verb ought to in English

Also with this verb we can ask a question, that is, ask for advice on whether we should act in some way. To do this, we put ought in first place. However, our to remains in place and comes after the actor. The proposal outline will be as follows:

Ought + the one in question + to + action?

	I
	you
	we		dance?
Ought	they	to	cook?
	she		write?
	he
	it

Ought I to give up smoking?
Should I quit smoking?

Ought we to see a doctor?
Should we go to the doctor?

When answering you can use ought to/oughtn"t to:

Yes, you ought to.
Yes, you should.

No, you oughtn't to.
No, you shouldn't.

Or other appropriate expressions. For example:

You bet!
Naturally!

Of course.
Certainly.

I think so.
I think yes.

No way.
In no case.

Not likely.
Hardly.

Interrogative sentences with clarifying words

To clarify any information, we use the following words:

What - what
Where - where
Who - who
Which - which one
Why - why
When - when

When asking a question, we put these words first, and then the word order follows, as in a regular question. Education scheme:

Specifying word + ought + the person in question + to + action?

		I
		you
What		we		write?
Where	ought	they	to	cook?
When		she		dance?
		he
		it

So now you are familiar with the verb ought to. However, just by studying the theory, you will not learn how to use this verb, so it's time to move on to the practical part.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. You should exercise every day.
2. She should call him first.
3. Should I go to this party? Certainly!
4. They shouldn't spend all their money.
5. When should he call her?
6. Should he write it down? I think yes.
7. She shouldn't work so much.
8. You should start running in the morning.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

We have already written articles about modal verbs, that they are a very important component of English, and, in addition, we have sorted out what they eat with "can", "may" And "must". However, there are still modal verbs that we did not have time to talk about last time. Let's correct ourselves and talk about "have to", "ought to", "should", "need", "will" And "shall".

Must and Have to: find the differences

About "have to" There are many opinions and debates, but still it is traditionally classified as a group of modal verbs. "Have to" translated as “should”, but still slightly different from "must" according to the semantic connotation: if the second implies a strict obligation, rules that must certainly be followed, then "have to" the meaning is a little softer; often its translation “should” means, rather, “was forced.” The past form of the verb sounds like "had to":

I had to stop and get out of the car (“I had to stop and get out of the car”);
Do you have to wash the dishes right now? Everyone is waiting for us (“Do you need to wash the dishes right now? Everyone is waiting for us”);
She doesn’t have to be clever, he likes her anyway because she is so beautiful (“She doesn’t need to be smart, he still likes her because of her beauty”).

Ought to: what and why?

Continuing to talk about modal verbs with the meaning of obligation, we should mention "ought to". Again, it is not as strong in semantic connotation as "must", but one step higher in this regard than "should". "Ought to" used when talking about the need to do something ( necessity) and responsibilities/duty ( duty), including moral ( moral obligation):

We ought to help her, she has lost everything (“We have to help her, she lost everything”) – moral obligation;
You ought to stop being late every day (“You must stop being late every day”) – duty;
We ought to rearrange our plans (“We need to reconsider our plans”).

Despite the fact that most often "ought to" used to denote situations in the present and future tense, its use in the past is also possible by adding “have”: “We ought to have helped her, she had lost everything” (“We had to help her, she lost everything” - implies that it was a moral duty to help her, but despite this, no help was provided).

We must not forget about "should". This modal verb is used in several cases: when we want to give advice to someone ( advice), we talk about the likelihood of something in the future ( prediction) and imply any obligation ( obligation), albeit not as strong in meaning as in "must":

You should go and see your dentist (“You should go to your dentist”) – advice;
It’s so sunny today, I think tomorrow the weather should be fine too (“Today is so sunny, I think the weather will be just as great tomorrow”) – prediction;
If you see an elderly person carrying heavy bags, you should help him (“If you see an elderly person carrying heavy bags, you must help him”) – obligation.

"Should" can also be used in the past tense when talking about something that (should not) have been done in the past, but this action was never performed (or it was performed, but it would have been better if it had not been performed). For example, “You should have driven more carefully, you had a terrible accident” or “He is such a cheap seducer, she shouldn't have believed him” (“She You shouldn’t have trusted him, he’s just a cheap seducer”).

Will vs shall

"Will" already familiar to many from its regular use in sentences in the future tense and subordinate clauses, where its past tense form can also be used "would". So we use "will" to talk about what we think will happen in the future ( predictions), as well as offers ( offers) and the desire to do something ( willingness):

You will be late, Jack, please hurry up (“You will be late, Jack, please hurry up”) – predictions;
I will give you a lift after the party (“I’ll give you a lift after the party”) – offer;
I will see you tomorrow and take out for a dinner (“We’ll see you tomorrow and I’ll take you somewhere for dinner”).

"Would" we use when we talk about the future from the perspective of the past, or when we use subordinate conditions: “I thought he would live in a fool's paradise forever” (“I thought he would forever wear rose-colored glasses”) or “If I had known it that day, I would have never forgiven him" (“If I had known about this that day, I would never have forgiven him”).

“Would” is also often used when making polite requests, suggestions, and expressing preferences:

Would you mind if I carry your bag? (“Do you mind if I carry your bag?)”
Would you like a cup of coffee?
I would rather stay home and watch this new DVD now (“I would rather stay home and watch this new DVD”).

Formally "shall" is also one of the modal verbs and can be used to denote the future tense and sentences (“I shall bake a cake for your birthday”, “Shall I give you a lift tomorrow?”), but is objectively considered to be somewhat outdated, so it is practically not used , especially in informal oral conversation. Also shall v can be used as sentences, promises and orders, as the stricter form of should.

Need: are verbs semi-modal?

Despite the fact that “need” cannot be called a modal verb in the full sense of the word, it is considered semi-modal, because sometimes functions as a modal and sometimes as a regular one. As a modal verb, we tend to use "need" in negative sentences when we want to tell the other person that there is no need or obligation to do something:

You needn’t cook dinner, it’s already on the table (“You don’t need to cook dinner, it’s already on the table”);
You needn’t read this now (“There is no need to read this now”).

It must have been love…

And finally, we have collected for you modal verbs that sound in the lines of songs. Do you agree that it is a special pleasure to combine business with pleasure, when you can listen to your favorite music and at the same time practice English grammar, subtly distinguishing the reason for using a particular modal verb?

It must have been love (Roxette, ‘It must have been love’);
I still can’t believe that you are right next to me after all that I’ve done (Plumb ‘Don’t deserve you’);
Seasons may change, winter to spring (Moulin Rouge, ‘Come what may’);
I will always believe in good (Nail Shary, ‘I will always believe in good’).

We hope you know that we have a section that examines compositions by popular artists. If not, we recommend that you take a look there.

And if you want to learn even more about modal verbs, you can watch from our teachers and do the exercises.