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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.