Should & Ought To
The "Twin Modals" of English advice, obligation, and expectation. They are 90% interchangeable, but the magic lies in the 10% difference.
🏗️ The Structural Blueprint
The biggest mistake learners make is with the word "TO". Interact with the builder below to see how the grammar changes between the two forms. Notice how "Ought" is glued to "to", while "Should" stands alone.
Tap to Build a Sentence
Rule #1: No "To" for Should
"Should" is a pure modal verb. It connects directly to the base verb. Never say "Should to".
💡 Pro Tip:
In negative forms, Should not is easy. Ought not to is clunky and rare! Native speakers almost always prefer "Shouldn't".
📊 The Formality Spectrum
While meanings overlap, the "vibe" is different. This chart compares how formal or forceful different advice verbs feel.
Scale based on general linguistic consensus for standard English.
🎲 Probability & Expectation
When used for prediction ("It should rain"), how certain are we? Compare "Should/Ought to" against other modals.
🔍 Usage Scenarios
Click the tabs below to explore the three main "jobs" these verbs do.
Subjective vs. Objective
This is the subtle secret!
- SHOULD Subjective (My Opinion): "I think you should wear the red dress." (It's my taste).
- OUGHT TO Objective (External Fact): "You ought to wear a coat." (Because it is freezing outside - not just my opinion).
"You ought to take this medicine."
(It's the doctor's order, not just a friendly tip)
Moral Obligation
When talking about laws, rules, or moral duties, Ought to often sounds slightly stronger or more formal, like a finger wagging at you.
Must / Have to
100% Mandatory. No choice.
"You must pay taxes."
Ought to / Should
Ideally you do it, but you have a choice (even if it's a bad one).
"We ought to help the neighbors."
Logical Deduction
Use either word when you expect something to happen because it is logical or planned.
"Brenda left the office at 5:00 PM."
"She should be home by now."
(If she isn't, something unusual has happened).
⏳ The Regret Slider (Past Tense)
How do we talk about mistakes in the past? We use the "Perfect Modal" structure:
Should / Ought to + HAVE + Past Participle
Slide to travel from Future advice to Past regret.
Scenario: Studying for a test
"You should study."
Advice for the future.
⚡ Quick Check
Can you use "should" without "to"?