Ought To vs. Should

Attribute	Ought To	Should
Definition	Used to express moral obligation or duty	Used to indicate what is expected or recommended
Usage	Commonly used in philosophical or ethical discussions	Commonly used in everyday language
Subjectivity	Can be subjective and vary based on personal beliefs or values	Generally less subjective and more based on societal norms or expectations
Level of Importance	Implies a higher level of importance or significance	Implies a lower level of importance or significance
Formality	Can be used in formal or academic contexts	Used in both formal and informal contexts

Introduction

When it comes to expressing obligations, recommendations, or giving advice, two commonly used modal verbs in the English language are "ought to" and "should." While these two verbs are often used interchangeably, they do have subtle differences in meaning and usage. In this article, we will explore the attributes of "ought to" and "should" to gain a better understanding of their nuances and how they can be effectively used in various contexts.

Meaning and Usage

Both "ought to" and "should" express a sense of duty, obligation, or necessity. However, "ought to" is generally used to convey a moral or logical obligation, while "should" is more commonly used to express recommendations or advice based on personal opinions or societal norms.

For example, consider the following sentences:

• "Youought to apologize for your behavior." (Moral obligation)
• "Youshould try the new restaurant in town." (Recommendation)

In the first sentence, "ought to" implies a moral duty to apologize, suggesting that it is the right thing to do. On the other hand, the second sentence using "should" suggests a personal recommendation to try the new restaurant, without necessarily implying a moral obligation.

Level of Certainty

Another distinction between "ought to" and "should" lies in the level of certainty conveyed by each verb. "Ought to" implies a higher degree of certainty or necessity compared to "should."

Consider the following examples:

• "Youought to study for the exam if you want to pass." (Strong recommendation)
• "Youshould bring an umbrella; it might rain later." (Suggestion)

In the first sentence, "ought to" emphasizes the necessity of studying for the exam, indicating a higher level of certainty for achieving the desired outcome. On the other hand, the second sentence using "should" suggests a suggestion to bring an umbrella based on the possibility of rain, but with less certainty.

Formality and Politeness

The choice between "ought to" and "should" can also depend on the level of formality or politeness required in a particular context. Generally, "should" is considered less formal and more commonly used in everyday conversations, while "ought to" is often used in more formal or serious situations.

For instance:

• "Youshould arrive on time for the meeting." (Informal)
• "Youought to address the issue promptly." (Formal)

In the first sentence, "should" is used in a casual conversation to express a recommendation for punctuality. In contrast, the second sentence using "ought to" conveys a more formal tone, suggesting a moral or logical obligation to address the issue promptly.

Subjectivity and Personal Opinions

While both "ought to" and "should" can express personal opinions or recommendations, "should" is often used to convey subjective advice based on personal preferences or experiences.

Consider the following examples:

• "Youought to exercise regularly for good health." (General recommendation)
• "Youshould try the chocolate cake; it's delicious!" (Subjective recommendation)

In the first sentence, "ought to" suggests a general recommendation to exercise regularly for good health, which is not influenced by personal preferences. On the other hand, the second sentence using "should" conveys a subjective recommendation based on personal experience, indicating that the chocolate cake is delicious according to the speaker's opinion.

Conclusion

While "ought to" and "should" share similarities in expressing obligations and recommendations, their subtle differences in meaning, level of certainty, formality, and subjectivity make them distinct in various contexts. Understanding these attributes can help us choose the appropriate verb to convey our intentions accurately and effectively. So, whether you ought to use "ought to" or should use "should," remember to consider the nuances and choose the verb that best suits the situation at hand.