Introduction
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that has no meaning on its own but it modifies the main verb, changes its meaning and gives more details about the action.
Ought to is a type of auxiliary modal verb used to express obligation and duty through advice or recommendations.
Form
Ought to always has the same form even for the third person singular, and we find this structure in its three forms.
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + ought to + verb + …
| Subject | ought to | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | ought to | work |
| He/She/It | ought to | work |
| We/You/They | ought to | work |
Negative
Its structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + ought + not + to + verb + …
| Subject | ought to + not | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | ought not to | work |
| He/She/It | ought not to | work |
| We/You/They | ought not to | work |
Short version of the negative form is: oughtn’t.
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
Ought + subject + to + verb + …?
| Ought | Subject | to | Verb | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ought | I/you | to | work | …? |
| Ought | he/she/it | to | work | …? |
| Ought | we/you/they | to | work | …? |
NOTE: Should or did is used in some places instead. To is not used in question tags.
Example
Affirmative:
- You ought to apologise.
- He ought to work out more.
- They ought to get the diploma soon.
Negative:
- He oughtn’t to be wasting time.
- Smoking oughtn’t to be allowed at school.
- They oughtn’t to have said that to her.
Interrogative:
- Ought I to tell my parents?
- Ought you to be at school?
- Ought we to read the syllabus of the course?
Use
We use ought to when:
- We indicate weaker obligation or duty;
- We give and ask for advice (recommendation).
Ought to can be considered not to be as strong as must [1].
Summary
The modal verb ought to expresses weaker obligation or advice. It can be considered to not be as strong as must [2].
We can use it in its different forms:
- Affirmative: We start with the subject followed by ought to and the verb.
- Negative: We start with the subject followed by ought not to and the verb.
- Interrogative: We start with ought followed by the subject and to and the verb (the sentence ends with a question mark).
For example:
— Affirmative: “You ought to do your homework to understand the subject.” = Ought to is used to give a recommendation.
— Negative: “You oughtn’t to do your homework to understand the subject.” = Oughtn’t is used to give a recommendation.
— Interrogative: “Ought you to do your homework to understand the subject?” = Ought…? is used to ask for a confirmation of a recommendation.
♦ “You must do your homework or you will fail the class.” = Must [2] expresses a stronger obligation.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.