Should and Ought To: Form, Uses and Examples
Should and ought to are how English gives advice and says what is right or a good idea. They are softer than must and have to, which makes them polite and very useful.
By LearnLingo Team · Updated
Form
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I, you, we, they | You should rest. | You shouldn't rest. | Should I rest? |
| He, she, it | He should rest. | He shouldn't rest. | Should he rest? |
Shouldn't = should not. Should is a modal verb: it never takes -s, and the next verb is the base form without to.
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I, you, we, they | You ought to rest. | You ought not to rest. | Ought I to rest? |
| He, she, it | She ought to rest. | She ought not to rest. | Ought she to rest? |
The negative and question forms of ought to are rare and sound formal or old-fashioned. In everyday English, use shouldn't and Should I...? instead.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| could | a possible idea, one option | You could take the train. |
| should, ought to | a good idea, advice | You should take the train. |
| had better | strong advice, or there will be a problem | You'd better take the train or you'll be late. |
| must, have to | necessary, an obligation | You have to take the train. There are no buses. |
Giving advice
The main use of should and ought to is to give advice: to say what is a good idea. You should drink more water. You ought to drink more water. Both mean the same.
Use shouldn't to say something is a bad idea: You shouldn't stay up so late. To ask for advice, use Should I...? or What should I do?
Should is not an obligation. The listener can choose. If something is really necessary, use have to or must.
You should try the new Thai restaurant. It's great.
You ought to save some money every month.
He shouldn't eat so much sugar.
What should I wear to the wedding?
Should we book a table, or just turn up?
Opinions about right and wrong
We also use should and ought to to say what we think is right, fair or correct. This is about the speaker's opinion, often about society or other people's behaviour: People should be kind to animals. The government ought to do more for young people.
To make the opinion softer and more polite, start with I think or I don't think: I don't think you should go. Notice that English puts the negative in think, not in should. I think you shouldn't go is possible, but I don't think you should go sounds more natural.
Children should learn to swim at school.
I think you should apologise to her.
I don't think we should tell him yet.
More natural than I think we shouldn't tell him.
Drivers ought to slow down near schools.
Should for expectations
Should can also mean that we expect something to happen, because it is normal or planned: The train should arrive at six. We think it will, but we are not completely sure.
This is weaker than will. Use should when you expect something but there could be a problem: The package should be here tomorrow. Ought to is possible here too, but should is much more common.
It's a short drive. We should be there by ten.
The exam shouldn't be too difficult if you revise.
Try restarting it. That should fix the problem.
Should or ought to?
In the affirmative, should and ought to mean almost the same. Should is much more common in both speech and writing. Ought to can sound a little stronger, as if the advice comes from duty or a general rule.
In the negative and in questions, use should. Ought not to and Ought I to...? exist, but they are formal and rare. In American English, ought to is less common than in British English, and people sometimes pronounce it like otta in fast speech.
Remember the to: you should go, but you ought to go.
You ought to visit your grandparents more often.
We should leave now. It's getting late.
You shouldn't worry so much.
Far more natural than You ought not to worry so much.
Should, must and had better
Advice comes in different strengths. Could gives an option: You could ask your teacher. Should gives advice: You should ask your teacher. Had better is stronger and suggests a problem if you don't: You'd better ask your teacher, or you'll fail. Must and have to say it is necessary.
Had better is about a specific situation now, not a general rule, and it has no past meaning even though it uses had. The negative is had better not: You'd better not be late again.
To talk about advice in the past, use should have + past participle: You should have told me (but you didn't). This is covered in modal perfects.
You could ask Leyla. She knows a lot about computers.
It's going to rain. We'd better take an umbrella.
I should have listened to you.
Regret about the past: I didn't listen.
In real life
In conversation, people use should all the time to recommend things and to ask for opinions. Phrases like You really should..., Maybe you should..., and If I were you, I'd... are friendly ways to give advice.
When you ask someone for help or advice, Do you think I should...? sounds polite and natural. For more polite language, read polite requests in English.
Maybe you should take a break. You look exhausted.
Do you think I should call him?
You really should see that film. It's brilliant.
Where should we meet? Outside the station?
Common mistakes
You should to see a doctor.
You should see a doctor.
Should is a modal verb, so the next verb is the base form without to. Only ought has to after it.
She shoulds study more.
She should study more.
Modal verbs never take -s, even with he, she and it.
You ought go home.
You ought to go home.
Ought always needs to before the verb.
Do I should bring a gift?
Should I bring a gift?
Should does not use do in questions. Put should before the subject.
You'd better to hurry.
You'd better hurry.
Had better is followed by the base verb without to, just like should.
Practice quiz
10 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
1. You look tired. You ___ go to bed early tonight.
2. You ___ to call her and say sorry.
3. Choose the correct question.
4. What does You should see that film mean?
5. Which is the most natural sentence?
6. The parcel ___ arrive tomorrow, but I'm not sure.
7. Everyone in the car ___ wear a seat belt. It's the law.
8. He ___ eat so much fast food. It's bad for him.
9. It's late. We ___ go, or we'll miss the last bus.
10. Which sentence gives the weakest suggestion?
0 of 10 answered
Show all answers
- should
- ought
- Should I bring food?
- Seeing it is a good idea.
- I don't think you should go.
- should
- has to
- shouldn't
- had better
- You could ask him.
See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.
People also ask
What is the difference between should and ought to?+
In meaning, almost nothing: both give advice or say what is right. Should is much more common and is used in questions and negatives. Ought to is a little more formal and is mostly used in the affirmative.
Is should stronger than must?+
No, must is stronger. Should is advice, and the listener can choose. Must and have to say that something is necessary.
Can I say ought not to?+
Yes, it is correct, but it is rare and sounds formal. In everyday English, shouldn't is the normal negative: You shouldn't worry.
How do I use should for the past?+
Use should have + past participle to talk about something that was a good idea but did not happen: I should have studied harder. It often shows regret or criticism.
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