I ˈɔːt Tə Oughtn't Ought To Modal Verb Bre

• they ought to apologize.
• ‘ought i to write to say thank you?’ ‘yes, i think you ought (to).’
• they ought to have apologized (= but they didn't).
• such things ought not to be allowed.

ought-to

1. used to say what is the right thing to do
• They ought to apologize.
• ‘Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to).’
• They ought to have apologized (= but they didn't).
• Such things ought not to be allowed.
• He oughtn't to have been driving so fast.
• You should take the baby to the doctor’s.
• I ought to give up smoking.
• Should we call the doctor?
• We’d better hurry or we’ll miss the train.
• She should have asked for some help.
• You ought to have been more careful.
• You shouldn’t drive so fast.
• I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lost my temper.
2. used to say what you expect or would like to happen
• Children ought to be able to read by the age of 7.
• Nurses ought to earn more.
3. used to say what you advise or recommend
• We ought to be leaving now.
• This is delicious. You ought to try some.
• You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.
4. used to say what has probably happened or is probably true
• If he started out at nine, he ought to be here by now.
• That ought to be enough food for the four of us.
• Oughtn't the water to have boiled by now?

Verb Forms

• ought not to
• oughtn't to