0Hi, everyone. I'm studying modals recently. I have a doubt about "ought to be doing". My grammar book says "ought to be doing" means "someone is not doing what he/she is supposed to do" in an affirmative sentence or "someone is doing what he/she isn't supposed to do" in an negative sentence. For example:02br 02br 00 He 01font01b00ought not to be01font00 02font02b01font01b00spending02b02font00 all his time on the TV. He should 02font00study00 for his exam. 02br 02br 00We 01font01b00ought to be wearing02b02font00 seat belts, but we are not.02br 02br 00My question is: Does "ought to be doing" only has this meaning? Could it serve other function as well? 02br 02br 00I hope you could tell me if there is any, thank you for your help!0-
Top answer
02i 02br 02br 01i 00Ought not to02i 00 means 01i 00should not02i 0-
— Yoong Liat
02i 02br 02br 01i 00Ought not to02i 00 means 01i 00should not02i 0-
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0 You use should or ought to:02br 001 to say that you expect something to happen02br 00He ought to be here soon. 02br 002 to say that something is morally right02br 00People ought to wear seat belts. 02br 003 when you are giving someone advice 02br 00You ought to see a doctor. 0-
0 It doesn't have to be comparing what we are doing to what we should be doing. "We ought to leave/to be leaving at 10" implies that we probably will leave by then, because of necessity. 0-