Ought to

Question

When I first learned grammar I was told that we use ought to for things we should do because it is the right thing to do. For example : Granny is in the hospital, we ought to visit her. Is this correct? How should I think about ought to in comparison to other modal verbs (like should)? Thaaanks a bunch

Vic Z · Accepted Answer

Me too. (BrE)

Rover_KE · Answer

What's that supposed to mean, Vic?

Astormwithskin, There's very little difference between 'We ought to visit Granny in hospital' and 'We should visit Granny in hospital'.

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Joseph Krolow · Answer

This is a very good question, and I don't think most native English speakers would say there's a big difference between "ought to" versus "should." In everyday conversation, I never hear anyone say "ought to," only "should." I do see it in writing sometimes, or really old movies from the '50s.
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/03/must-should-ought/
From what this link says, "ought" is used for moral things, as you said, so perhaps you should use that when you're writing formally, but in spoken English we almost exclusively use "should."

Vic Z · Answer

It means "me too". I was taught the same thing in school (1960s), if it's a duty you ought to do it. I don't think people use it that way any more, should and ought have become synonyms.

CalifJim · Answer

AstormwithskinHow should I think about ought to in comparison to other modal verbs (like should)?

See

CJ

Ought to

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