Use of Should

Use of Should: Should is a modal verb in the English language. Modal verbs are a small group of auxiliary verbs that express various shades of meaning, such as necessity, possibility, ability, permission, advice, and more. “Should” is often used to indicate a sense of obligation, advisability, or expectation in a sentence. It can also suggest probability or likelihood.

Uses of Should-

Obligation: When “should” is used to express obligation, it implies that someone is expected to do something or follow a particular course of action because it is the right thing to do, or there are rules or expectations in place.

Example- As a responsible citizen, you should pay your taxes on time.

• We should respect the privacy of others and not intrude without permission.

Advice: “Should” is commonly used to offer advice or recommendations, suggesting what is best or beneficial in a given situation.

Example- If you want to improve your vocabulary, you should read more books.

• To avoid getting sunburned, you should apply sunscreen before going outside.

Expectation: “Should” can indicate an anticipated or likely outcome based on certain conditions or circumstances.

Example- The project should be completed by the end of the week if everything goes according to plan.

• If the weather forecast is correct, it should rain later today.

Probability: When used to express probability, “should” suggests that something is likely to happen or be true.

Example: The package should arrive tomorrow. (It is likely to arrive.)

• With his skills, he should have no trouble finding a job in his field.
• If she practices regularly, she should become a proficient pianist.

Permission: In certain cases, “should” can be used to ask for or grant permission in a more polite or tentative manner. Example: Should I use your laptop for a moment? (Asking for permission to use the laptop.)

• Should I use your computer to check my email quickly?
• Should you need any further info then feel free to discuss with us.

Regret or criticism: “Should” can also be used to express regret or criticism about a past action or decision.

Example: You should have been more careful. (Regret or criticism about not being careful enough.)

• You should have asked for help instead of trying to do it all alone.
• They should not have ignored the warning signs.

What does ought to mean?

The word “ought to” is another modal verb in the English language. Like “should,” it expresses ideas related to obligation, advisability, or desirability. “Ought to” is used to indicate a moral or logical necessity, often based on expectations, duty, or external standards. It suggests that something is the right thing to do or the appropriate course of action.

Uses of ought to

Obligation: When “ought to” is used, it implies a strong moral or ethical duty to perform a certain action or behave in a particular way.

Example: You ought to help those in need. (It is considered morally right to offer assistance.)

• You ought to return the money you borrowed from your friend. (Moral duty to repay the debt.)
• As a responsible pet owner, you ought to provide proper care and attention to your pets. (Ethical responsibility towards pets.)

Advice: “Ought to” is frequently employed to provide advice or make recommendations about what one should do in a given situation.

Example: You ought to start saving for retirement early. (It’s recommended for your financial well-being.)

• You ought to start exercising regularly to improve your fitness. (Recommendation for better health.)
• If you want to excel in your studies, you ought to organize your study schedule effectively. (Advice for academic success.)

Expectation: “Ought to” can suggest an expected or anticipated outcome based on norms or logical reasoning. Example: If he studies consistently, he ought to excel in the exams. (Considering his efforts, success is expected.)

• He ought to perform well in the competition since he has been training hard. (Anticipated success based on training efforts.)
• Given her experience in the field, she ought to deliver an insightful presentation. (Expectation of a valuable presentation.)

Probability: Similar to “should,” “ought” can express likelihood or probability, but it tends to be stronger in its sense of moral obligation. Example: The weather is clear, so the flight ought to arrive on time. (It’s highly likely to arrive on time.)

• The exam questions were relatively easy, so he ought to have scored well. (High probability of good performance.)
• They ought to arrive at the meeting on time, considering there are no traffic jams. (Likelihood of punctual arrival.)

Historical or traditional practices: “Ought” can refer to actions or behavior that were customary or expected in the past, although it may not be as commonly used in modern English.

Example: People ought to show respect to their elders. (In the past, it was considered a customary practice.)

• In the past, people ought to greet each other politely when they met. (Past customary behavior.)
• Long ago, people ought to follow certain rituals during festivals. (Historical traditions and customs.)

Difference between should and Ought to

“Should” and “ought” are both modal verbs that express a sense of obligation, advisability, or desirability. While they share similarities in meaning, there are some subtle differences in how they are used and the strength of their implications.

1. Obligation vs. Moral Obligation:

• “Should”: When “should” is used, it generally conveys a weaker sense of obligation. It suggests that something is the right thing to do or the appropriate course of action based on norms, rules, expectations, or logical reasoning. It can encompass moral, social, or practical considerations. Example: You should apologize for your mistake. (It’s the right thing to do, based on social norms or moral principles.)
• “Ought”: “Ought” is often associated with a stronger moral obligation. It implies a sense of duty or moral imperative, suggesting that something is morally right or necessary. Example: You ought to help those in need. (It is considered morally right and a duty to offer assistance.)

2. Advice vs. Stronger Recommendation:

• “Should”: “Should” is commonly used to offer advice or make recommendations. It suggests what is best or advisable in a given situation. Example: You should start saving for retirement early. (Advice for financial security.)
• “Ought”: “Ought” also offers advice, but it tends to convey a stronger recommendation, emphasizing the importance of the suggested action. Example: You ought to prioritize your health and well-being above all else. (Strong advice for personal well-being.)

3. Expectation vs. Stronger Expectation:

• “Should”: “Should” can indicate an expected or likely outcome based on certain conditions or circumstances. Example: If he studies diligently, he should pass the exam. (It’s expected that he will pass the exam)
• “Ought”: While “ought” can suggest an anticipated outcome, it often implies a stronger expectation or presumption. Example: He ought to excel in the competition, given his exceptional talent. (Strong expectation of excellent performance.)

4. Probability vs. Stronger Probability:

• “Should”: “Should” can express likelihood or probability, but it tends to be more neutral or moderate in its tone. Example: The weather is clear, so the flight should arrive on time. (Likelihood of timely arrival.)
• “Ought”: “Ought” can also express probability, but with a slightly stronger emphasis, particularly when associated with moral or ethical considerations. Example: She ought to be home by now; she doesn’t usually stay out this late. (Probability of her being at home.)

5. Frequency of Usage:

• “Should”: “Should” is more commonly used in modern English and is a regular part of everyday speech and writing.
• “Ought”: While still used, “ought” is less common in everyday conversation and is often found in more formal or literary contexts.