Should and Ought To
Should - Giving Advice
Recommendations
- You should see a doctor.
- We should leave now.
- She should study harder.
What’s Right or Sensible
- People should be kind to each other.
- You should always tell the truth.
- Children should respect their parents.
Negative Advice
- You shouldn’t eat so much sugar.
- He shouldn’t drive so fast.
- They shouldn’t work so late.
Should - Expectation
Probable Situations
- The train should arrive at 6 pm. (I expect it to)
- This should be easy. (I think it will be)
- She should be home by now. (probably)
Asking for Confirmation
- Should I call her? (Is it a good idea?)
- What should I do? (asking for advice)
- Where should we meet?
Ought To
“Ought to” means the same as “should” but is more formal:
- You ought to apologize. = You should apologize.
- We ought to help them. = We should help them.
- She ought to be more careful. = She should be more careful.
Negative Form
- You ought not to (oughtn’t to) be so rude.
- We ought not to waste time.
Note: “Shouldn’t” is more common in everyday speech.
Should Have - Past Regret/Criticism
Things You Didn’t Do (regret)
- I should have studied harder. (but I didn’t)
- We should have left earlier. (but we didn’t)
- She should have told me. (but she didn’t)
Things You Did (criticism)
- You shouldn’t have said that. (but you did)
- He shouldn’t have spent so much. (but he did)
- They shouldn’t have gone without us. (but they did)
Should vs. Must
| Should | Must |
|---|---|
| Advice, recommendation | Obligation, necessity |
| It’s a good idea | It’s required |
| You should rest. | You must rest. |
| Flexible | Strict |
Should and ought to are almost interchangeable, but ought to is somewhat more formal and less commonly used in questions and negatives. Should have + past participle is essential for expressing regret or criticism: “You should have called.”