What is the Difference Between Should and Ought To?

The English words "should" and "ought to" are modal verbs used to indicate advice, obligation, or necessity, and they have similar meanings. However, there are some differences in their usage and connotations:

1. Should:

• Indicates advice, recommendation, or expectation.
• Can also express obligation or necessity, but with a weaker sense than "ought to."
• Used in a variety of contexts, including giving advice, expressing expectations, and talking about probabilities.
• Examples: "You should leave early for the office to avoid traffic jams" (suggestion/idea best for the situation) and "The shop should be opened by now" (probability/prediction).

1. Ought to:

• Indicates obligation, duty, or moral requirement.
• Carries a stronger sense of obligation or necessity compared to "should."
• Often used to express opinions, duties, or moral requirements.
• Examples: "Ross ought to be more punctual" (opinion), "You ought to respect the flag of your country" (duties), and "It ought to be snowing by this month’s end" (prediction/probability).

In conclusion, while "should" and "ought to" can sometimes be used interchangeably, "ought to" generally carries a stronger sense of obligation or necessity. "Should" is more commonly used to give advice or express expectations, while "ought to" is often used to express opinions, duties, or moral requirements.

Comparative Table: Should vs Ought To

Here is a table that highlights the differences between "should" and "ought to":

• "Should" is an informal term used in both formal and informal contexts, while "ought to" is considered more formal or old-fashioned.
• "Should" is used to give advice, recommendations, seek permission, or express expectations.
• "Ought to" is used to highlight duties, responsibilities, probabilities, or moral correctness in a given situation.
• The degree of emphasis is less for "should" and comparatively higher for "ought to".