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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
should, ought to, had better
i still don't understand the difference between 'should, had better, and ought to'. can you help me?
Top answer
When they mean 'it is a good idea that, it is right that', they may be used interchangeably.
- When they mean 'it is a good idea that, it is right that', they may be used interchangeably.
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2 Answers
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When they mean 'it is a good idea that, it is right that', they may be used interchangeably.
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"should" is more common than "ought to". The latter is a bit more emphatic and slightly more formal, but basically they are synonymous.
"had better" is a little different and sometimes it may sound like a threat (with 'or else' implied), especially when said to another person. In a sentence, it's usually shortened to "I'd/you'd/he'd/she'd/it'd/we'd/they'd better..."
"had better" is a little different and sometimes it may sound like a threat (with 'or else' implied), especially when said to another person. In a sentence, it's usually shortened to "I'd/you'd/he'd/she'd/it'd/we'd/they'd better..."
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