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Grammar - Level 3

Modal Verbs – Ought to

“Ought to” is used much the same way as “should” is used. It is used for suggestions and strong possibilities.

  • You ought to study more Spanish.
    (suggestion)
  • He ought to marry Gabriela, she’s a very nice and intelligent woman.
    (suggestion)
  • She ought to sing in a band, she’s got a lovely voice.
    (suggestion)
  • We ought to be going now, it’s getting dark.
    (suggestion)
  • They ought to stop fighting so much or their marriage will end up in divorce.
    (suggestion)
  • It ought to stop raining soon, the sky beginning to clear.
    (strong possibility)
  • They ought to be here by noon, they don’t live that far away.
    (strong possibility)
  • Sally ought to get promoted, she’s a great employee.
    (strong possibility)

The structure for using “ought to” is the same as it is for “should“.

 Subject
 + Ought to
 + Verb in Infinitive Form
 + Complementizer
I		 ought to
 call
 her tonight.
You		 ought to
 wash
 your clothes.
She		 ought to
 be
 careful how she drives.
He		 ought to
 win
 the race, he’s fast.
It		 ought to
 snow
 today, it’s cold.
We		 ought to
 fix
 our car.
You		 ought to
 go
 to that party.
They		 ought to
 finish
 they have a lot of time.