日米会話学院 Podcasting

2007.02.09

051_Should_and_Ought_to

Most English students know how to use should, but using ought to is not as familiar. In this episode John Comerford helps student Kinuko.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones.
And here with a question for this episode is Nichibei student Kinuko.

Kinuko:

Hello

Kevin:

And our instructor is John Comerford.

John Comerford:

Good to see you.

Kevin:

So Kinuko, what question do have or us.

Kinuko:

My question is about the words should and ought to. I know how to use should ,but a could you tell me how to use ought to?

Kevin:

John what do you think?

John Comerford:

Well, let's start with the basics. Should and ought to are modal verbs.

Kinuko:

And what is a modal verb?

John Comerford:

It's an auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, or possibility. Some common English modal verbs are must, shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, and might.

Kinuko:

Are should and ought to the same?

John Comerford:

Some English teachers will say that they are different, but everyone agrees that in everyday, modern English, should and ought to are used interchangeably.

Kinuko:

Interchangeably?

John Comerford:

Yeah. In most cases you can use either one. Although, ought to sounds stronger sometimes.

Kinuko:

So, in which situations is should or ought to used?

John Comerford:

I'll give you four situations where should or ought to are used. The first one is for expressing expectation.

Kinuko:

You mean something we think is going to happen?

John Comerford:

That's right. For expectation we can use should or ought to or expect to. Here's an example. 'I have a short party after class. I should be home by 11 o'clock'. Or 'I expect to be home by 11 o'clock'. Now you try that same sentence with ought to.

Kinuko:

OK, ...I have a short party after class. I ought to be home by 11 o'clock.

John Comerford:

Good. The next situation is probability.

Kinuko:

Probability is the chance of something happening?

John Comerford:

That's right. Here's an example. My Amazon.com order should arrive tomorrow. Now you try that sentence with ought to.

Kinuko:

My Amazon.com order ought to arrive tomorrow.

John Comerford:

Good. The next situation for using should or ought to is desirability.

Kinuko:

Desirability?

John Comerford:

Yes. Something you desire. Something you wish for or want.

Kinuko:

I'm not sure I understand.

John Comerford:

Here's an example. You should have come to the party last Saturday, it was fun! Now, you give it a try with ought to.

Kinuko:

You ought to have come to the party last Saturday, it was fun!

John Comerford:

Good. Now for the last situation. Should and ought to can be used for duty or giving advice.

Kinuko:

Duty means something we have to do. Right?

John Comerford:

Yes that's right. Can you think of an example sentence for obligation or duty?

Kinuko:

You ought to help your sister study English.

John Comerford:

Good example! Try another sentence with should.

Kinuko:

You should recycle your PET bottles.

John Comerford:

Another good example.

Kinuko:

Couldn't I use must in these sentences?

John Comerford:

Yes of course. But your sentence would sound very strong. 'You must recycle your PET bottles' sounds like a requirement.
Now Please make a sentence for giving advice using should or ought to.

Kinuko:

You ought to try snowboarding this winter. It's really fun.

John Comerford:

Good job. And one more with should.

Kinuko:

You should listen to Chie Ayado"s new album. It's great!

John Comerford:

Thanks Kinuko. That sounds fine. I think you know how to use should and ought to now. Any questions?

Kinuko:

Yeah. I know that the negative of should is should not or shouldn't. How about ought to. Can I say oughtn't.

John Comerford:

Yes. that's OK. Or say ought not to or just ought not. An example sentence would be, 'We ought not to drink to much tonight, we have work tomorrow'. However this negative form is not very common in spoken English. Especially American English.

Kinuko:

Well, thank you for answering my question.

John Comerford:

Anything else?

Kinuko:

No. I ought to be going. Thanks for your time.

John Comerford:

You're very welcome.

END

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