- Phrases used to give advice, make a suggestion, or express an opinion about what is the right or best thing for someone to do.
- You should: Very common, can range from a mild suggestion to strong advice.
- You ought to: Similar to should, but often implies a stronger moral obligation or sense of duty/correctness. It can sound slightly more formal or dated than should.
Explanation
Origin
- Should: Past tense of shall, evolved to express obligation, advisability, or expectation.
- Ought: An auxiliary verb that has always primarily expressed duty, necessity, or advisability. Comes from Old English āhte, past tense of āgan (to own, possess, owe). The sense of owing a duty evolved into being obligated or being advisable.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- You wanna... (Often used as a suggestion, e.g., You wanna grab a coffee?)
- Dude, you gotta... (Strong informal suggestion/advice)
More Direct/Forceful (Potentially Rude):
- You need to...
- You have to...
- Just stating the action as an imperative: Apologize to her.
More Tentative/Polite:
- Perhaps you could...
- One option might be to...
- It might be helpful if you...
Situational Appropriateness
- You should: Very flexible, used in informal, semi-formal, and even some formal contexts (though softer alternatives might be preferred in very formal settings).
- You ought to: Slightly more formal or serious in tone than should. Can sometimes sound preachy or old-fashioned depending on context and delivery.
- Be cautious giving unsolicited advice, especially with should or ought to, as it can imply criticism. Tone and relationship are crucial.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The main issue is pragmatic: Learners might overuse should/ought to for advice, potentially sounding pushy or critical without intending to. Teaching softer alternatives (You might want to, Maybe you could) is important for politeness.
- The slight difference in nuance between should (general advisability) and ought to (advisability often rooted in correctness/duty) can be subtle.
Examples
- You should see that new movie; it's really good. (Suggestion)
- You should probably apologize for what you said. (Advice/mild obligation)
- You ought to respect your elders. (Moral obligation)
- You ought to check the oil before a long drive. (Strong practical advice)
- It's getting late, you should probably head home. (Suggestion based on circumstance)
Dialogue
Liam: I'm really stressed about this exam.
Sophia: You should try taking short breaks every hour instead of studying straight through.
Liam: Hmm, maybe you're right. Does that really help?
Sophia: It works for me! Also, you ought to make sure you get enough sleep the night before.
Liam: Yeah, I know. Easier said than done. Thanks, Sophia.
Social Media Examples
- Advice Forum: Q: How to deal with noisy neighbors? A: You should try talking to them first politely. If that fails, check your lease/local noise ordinances.
- Tweet Reply: (To someone complaining about being tired) You ought to prioritize sleep more! #SelfCare
- Facebook Comment: (On a friend's post about car trouble) You should take it to Gary's Auto; they're honest and reliable.
Response Patterns
- That's a good idea. Thanks.
- Maybe you're right.
- I'll think about it.
- Why do you say that? (Asking for reasons)
- I don't know... (Hesitation/disagreement)
- Yeah, I know I should/ought to. (Acknowledging the advice, maybe guiltily)
- Defensiveness if the advice feels intrusive or critical (Don't tell me what I should do!).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After receiving advice with should/ought to:
- The recipient might ask for more details (Why should I see it?, What makes you say I ought to apologize?).
- They might agree and plan to follow the advice (Okay, I'll call them tomorrow).
- They might politely disagree or explain why they won't follow it (Thanks, but I don't think that's necessary).
After giving advice:
- The speaker might elaborate on their reasoning if asked, or simply wait for the listener's reaction.
Conversation Starter
- Can be, but often occurs mid-conversation in response to a problem or situation someone describes. Starting a conversation with unsolicited You should... can sometimes be perceived as intrusive.
Intonation
- Should: Often neutral, emphasis on the main verb following it. You should SEE that movie. Can be firmer if giving strong advice.
- Ought to: Can sound slightly more serious or formal. Emphasis on OUGHT or the main verb. You OUGHT to respect them.
- Tone varies greatly depending on context (friendly suggestion vs. stern warning).
Generation Differences
- Should is common across all generations.
- Ought to is understood by all but might be used slightly more often by older generations or in more formal/traditional contexts. Younger speakers might perceive it as a bit stiff or preachy sometimes.
Regional Variations
- Both are standard in all major English-speaking regions. The perceived formality or strength of ought to might vary slightly.