Using the expression ‘ought to’ in English – ( Modal Auxiliary Verb) - English Grammar Lesson

• published: 13 Jun 2015
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Using the expression ‘ought to’ in English – ( Modal Auxiliary Verb) - English Grammar Lesson ‘Ought to’ is a modal auxiliary verb and its meaning changes depending on how it is used in a sentence. In this lesson you will learn the usage of this not so commonly use English expression – Ought to. In this lesson, you are going to take a look at the various uses of ‘ought to’. • Example: You ought to exercise more. ( a strong recommendation/advice) • Example: She ought to receive the package tonight. (Probability) • Example: James ought to get the promotion. (something expected to happen) In the past, it is used with ‘have + a past participle verb’. It means something that should have happened, didn’t happen in the past. • Example: You ought to have helped him. (you should have helped him, but you didn’t do your duty) • Example: I ought to have studied medicine not physics. (I regret the past action of studying physics) In the negative, ‘ought not’ is used without ‘to’. • Example: You ought not smoke so much. • Example: They ought not carry so much cash while travelling. In the interrogative, ‘ought’ is placed before the subject and ‘to’ is not used. Generally, ‘should’ is more commonly used. • Example: Ought she call the police? (‘Should she call the police?’ is a more common way of asking) • Example: Ought we complete this now? (should is more commonly used in place of ‘ought’) For complete script on this lesson and to watch more English Grammar lessons visit us at : http://www.learnex.in http://www.letstalkpodcast.com How to speak fluent English Free English, English lesson, English video, vocabulary, business English, Grammar, learn grammar, English speaking, spoken English, learn English, speak English, speaking English, fluent English, fluency in English, English training video, speak fluent English, accent training, American accent, British accent, US accent, UK accent, accent training, personality development, words, sentences, public speaking, presentation, soft skills, how to, phrases, idioms, listening skills