The Modal Verb Ought (to)

Mother: What are you reading, Maggie?

Maggie: I don’t know.

Mother: You don’t know? But you were reading aloud, so you OUGHT TO know.

Maggie: Well, I was reading aloud, but I was not listening.

It comes originally from the verb owe, and still carries the idea that we owe some moral obligation to other people and to ourselves.

• I really ought to go and have my eyes tested. (I owe it to myself, I haven't done my

duty)

• Ben really ought to see his parents more often. (He rarely sees them)

• They ought to ban smoking in public places. (the obligation comes from outside)

It has only one form for the present tense and unlike all other modals is always followed by the infinitive with the particle to. Time reference is expressed through the form of the infinitive.

• You ought to do it. (present tense)

You ought to have done it. (past action which was desirable but wasn't carried out)

Like the modal verb should ought to expresses:

1. Advice, social and moral responsibility, obligation, criticism

• You ought to see a doctor.

• You ought not to smoke so much.

• She ought to look after her children better.

• You ought to ask for your money back.

2. probability (strong supposition) The use of ought to in this case is not very common as this meaning is normally rendered by must.

• They ought to be in office by now (90% certain; they will probably be in office) = They must be in office now.

Should and ought to are basically the same, although should is much more widely used than ought to. The negative and interrogative forms of ought to are becoming increasingly rare. Both should and ought to are used to talk about obligation and duty and to give advice. One way of getting the meaning of should is to contrast its meaning with that of must and have to as the degree of obligation is considerably less, e.g. ‘I have to go to the doctor’ as compared to ‘I should go to the doctor’.

Unlike must and have to, which express obligation where you have no choice, should and ought to describe a sort of obligation where you have a choice:

• You shouldn't carry a lot of money with you.

• You oughtn't to leave your bag unattended.

• You should help old people.

• You ought to take up a sport.

In the above illustrations, we are free to do or not to do what we are advised. Still there is some very slight difference between them. Should suggests an obligation more moral and binding than ought to and there­fore offers stronger advice and conveys greater certainty in prediction.

Ought to often suggests that the action is unlikely to be fulfilled.

Compare:

• You should go. (this is absolutely necessary)

• You ought to go. (but I know you don't want to)

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Ought (to)  имеет только одну форму. За ним следует инфинитив смыслового глагола с частицей to. Очень близок по значению глаголу should.

Выражает:

а) необходимость совершения действия в силу чьего-либо мнения, отражающего общепринятые суждения, моральные принципы, обязательства и т.п. - должен, следует, (мягче, чем must);

б) предположение, с оттенком уверенности - должно быть, наверное, вероятно.

В сочетании с неперфектным инфинитивом выражение совета, желательности, рекомендации относительно настоящего или будущего.

You ought to do it at once.	Вам следует сделать это сразу же.
You ought to see a doctor.	Вам следует обратиться к врачу.
You ought not to go alone.	Вам не следует идти одному.
You oughtn’t to be working for those people.	Вам не следует работать для тех людей.
Ought I to warn him of her arrival?	Мне следует предупредить его о ее приезде?

ought (to) + Perfect Infinitive выражает сожаление, упрек, порицание по поводу того, что:

а)  что действие было не выполнено (если предложение утвердительное). Соответствует русскому следовало (бы), надо было (бы), должен был (бы).

You ought to have helped them.	Вам следовало бы/(вы должны были) помочь им.(а вы не сделали этого)
He ought to have phoned earlier.	Ему следовало позвонить раньше.
He ought to have waited for you.	Он должен был подождать вас.

б)  что нежелательное действие совершилось (в отрицательных предложениях):

I’m sorry. I ought not to have said it.	Извини. Мне не следовало этого говорить. (а я сказал)
You ought not to have visited Mr. Brown.	Не следовало тебе идти к м-ру Брауну.

Вероятностное значение:

Для выражения предположения с оттенком уверенности – наверно, должно быть и т.п. В этом значении ought употребляется с неперфектным инфинитивом (встреч. реже, чем с must).

This dress ought to be cheaper.	Это платье, должно быть, дешевле.
He ought to/(should) be at home now.	Он, должно быть, сейчас дома.
There ought to/(should) be no difficulties.	Не должно быть никаких трудностей.

Глаголы to have и to be многозначны. Они могут употребляться в предложении самостоятельно как знаменательные глаголы, в качестве вспомогательного глагола (лишенные смыслового значения) входят в составе сложных глагольных форм, и как модальные глаголы для выражения долженствования/необходимости совершения действия.

 Exercise 1. Translate the sentences with the modal verb ought to denoting obligation or advisability.

1. As it is I'm taking a great risk in telling you, and you may never speak to me again, but right is right, and if you have a true friend you ought to tell him the truth. 2. There is something else which I think you ought to know. It may, or may not have a serious connection with what I have been telling you. 3. "She ought to see a doctor," said Mrs. Field in her most decided voice. 4. He looked at his watch. "Yes," said Bridget, "we ought to be getting home." 5. "I do have an idea," he said to O'Mara. "It isn't a good idea, and I think we ought to go to your office to talk about it, because you'll prob­ably object to it loudly and that might disturb the patients." 6. Charles is a real Jack of all trades. You ought to hear him play a musical instrument. 7. I think you are right. I think we ought to try and do something together. 8. I bought a machine that wakes you up with music and pours out hot coffee. You ought to get one. 9. This is for your own good, Smithy, and you ought to know. 10. "There is something in your mind," said Ira. "Is it something I ought to know?" 11. Look, John, I think I ought to tell you: this sum­mer I took Francis to hear Sousa's band when it played at the Toler Theatre. 12. You ought to take a look around and see how this place is built. No nails in the timbering. 13. "Surely," said Dermod coldly, just as Conway had decided that he really ought to be more patient with this cold-blood­ed creature. 14. It was usually Murchison who gave him food and told him when he really ought to lie down. 15. There is in writers a feeling that the public ought to like what they write.

Exercise 2. Translate the sentences with the modal verb ought to denoting a desirable action, which was not carried out, or criticism of a past action.

1. I am afraid it's my fault. I oughtn't to have got that blue dress, but it was so becoming and just right for the evening. 2. It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head. What he ought to have done, what any sane man would have done, was to remain patiently where he was and wait for his man to come out again. 3. He ought to have sent her back to her own country. 4. Marlene, you ought to have warned me. 5. I ought to have left you at home and that's the fact. I ought to have known it wasn't any good expecting you to play up. 6. I had already fulfilled my function, and I ought to have stayed away. 7. I ought, I suppose, to have started bringing those roses back right away. 8. I am a selfish ass. I ought to have come over first and got the place decently ready for you. 9. She ought to have known her own mind; no dependable woman makes these mistakes. 10. Pearl: "You really oughtn't to have made a scene before Harry Bleane." 11. "Of course it's ludicrous your being a businessman," said Georgie. "You are far too clever. You ought to have been a don." 12. I shall be glad to go back. Perhaps I ought never to have come. 13. He ought perhaps to have put a spoke in the wheel of their marriage; they were too young. 14. You ought to have told me that before.

Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences with the verb ought to denoting supposition implying strong prob­ability.

1. Half past ten was too early — her mother might not be asleep. Half past ten ought to be all right. 2. If you can't get the Buick started, call the substation. But this fellow ought to be able to fix it, whatever it is. 3. We ought to have a grand time this evening. Hampton's a good chap. 4. Quite a lot of people come to congratulate her. She ought to be very happy. 5. "Land ought to be very dear about there," he said. 6. I guess if I go to and fro hustling them, they ought to get busy. 7. Funny, isn't it? The sort of thing that ought to give you a hearty laugh. 8. A year from now you ought to start making a little money.

Exercise 4. State the meaning of the verb ought to in the following sentences. Translate them into Russian.

1. He ought to have known; he ought to have giv­en them warning. 2. "I think dear," she said, "we ought to find the little path that escaped us last night." 3. I ought never to have left the house. I shall return there at once. 4. "When are we going to get married, Allie?" She answered him in a soft, trembling voice. "I don't know. I think we ought to wait." 5. She ought to know the truth be-* cause it's the truth. 6. Oh, then, I suppose I oughtn't to have told you! 7. I want to tell Constance something she ought to know. 8. You don't know how keen I am to get started. There are ought to be opportunities here. 9. Just imagine him taking all that stuff seriously. He ought to have known I didn't mean it. 10. There was another lad with you, in and out last night. He ought to be here. 11. I suppose he's the kind of chap I re­ally need. I ought to have talked to him on the sub­ject. 12. All the same I think you ought to apologize to the lady. 13. Nicky, we ought to go back. 14. The sun streamed into my room, and I said, "It's a sin not to get up on a morning like this," and the more I said I ought to get up, the more delightful I found to be in bed. 15. He went over again every word of the scene. Now something occurred to him that he had not told me before; now he discussed what he ought to have said instead of what he did say. 16. All right — all right. I just thought you might have a definite suspicion. Well, it oughtn't to be difficult. 17. The Harrisons had invited him to stay, and he accepted. He told him­self afterwards that Emmy's letter ought to have warned him. 18. I think you ought to write to his mother, Bessie. It would be a graceful attention.

Exercise 5. Translate the sentences paying attention to the form of the infinitive after the modal verb ought to.

1. As she was wondering what she ought to do, she saw Mr. Quill turn towards her. 2. She had taken the trouble to arrive early, and surely ought to be rewarded for this. 3. Mrs. Hitchcock: "She ought to be told. She's got a right to know." Musgrave: "Go along then and tell her." 4. The hot tea had done her good. Things are always worse on an empty stomach. She ought to have eaten some break- Cast... 5. You're an architect; you ought to know all about statues and things. 6. Some­thing in her which would always take his part began to defend him. It was her own fault. She ought to have said, "I can't talk now — I'll ring you up at ten o'clock," and just put the receiver back. 7. They ought to have run away together seven years ago. They ought never to have let Winifred Graham drive them apart. 8. He had been watching her whilst Mrs. Justice told him all about Sophy's wedding which he ought not to have missed. 9. She wanted to see Nicky every bit as much as he wanted to see her, but they oughtn't to risk it. 10. He felt that her friends ought to be chosen for her. 11. Not even Fleur loves Soames as he feels he ought to be loved. 12. Antonia ought to have been waiting for me to come back. 13. But I'll tell you, I oughtn't to be talking... 14. Don't think I'm interfering, but I think you ought to speak to that girl of yours. 15. I had a little chat with Mr. Martin this morning. I ought to have told you, but it slipped my memory. 16. I'd have stood by without a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the sort of time she ought to have had. 17. Yes, yes, but Poirot, surely we ought to be making arrangements.

Exercise 6. Use the proper form of the infinitive in brack­ets after the modal verb ought to.

1. His face had misled me into thinking him a fam­ily servant. I ought (to look) only at the clothes, which were blue and blazing, and which he clutched with a blue-veined hand. 2. I never liked him. Of course he was my brother-in-law, and I made the best of it. Did you think him a gentleman? She ought nev­er (to marry) him. 3. Petkoff: "You must talk to him until Raina takes him off our hands. He bores my life out about our not promoting him." Catherine: "He certainly ought (to promote) when he marries Raina." 4. I spoke firmly, but I was very up­set by what she had said, and confused, and unaware whether I ought (not to offend). 5. He said abruptly: "You were right. It was enteric. I ought (to shoot) for not recognizing it." 6. It (the house) ought most probably (to surround) by a thick forest of twining roses, like the castle of the sleeping beau­ty. 7. Ruth ought (to sit) where she was, next to her host. 8. Andrew felt he ought (to con­vince). 9. I am going to do what we ought (to do) a week ago. 10. Don't you think we ought (to start)? 11. Ann is getting very shaky, she ought (to have) a doctor. 12. People ought (to know) things. I consider it my duty to tell them. 13. I think, Miss Larson, that there is something you ought (to tell). 14. Mr. Garfied ought never (to let) him go off alone the way he did. He should have gone with him. 15. She looked up at him. "Anything more? I ought (to go) now." 16. Someone ought (to be) on the lookout at the cor­ner to be sure someone isn't coming round it in the opposite direction. 17. It beats me now how I could have been such a hesitating fool! I ought (to realize) that there was no time to lose. I ought (to go) to Amyas straight away and warned him. 18. I suppose a doctor ought (to see) her tomorrow just to see she's getting on all right.

Exercise 7. Read the situations given below. Say what Peter is required to do using the modal verbs must or ought to. Give as many different suggestions as possible.

Example: Peter fell ill and missed many lessons. He is behind the group.

A) He must work hard now in order to catch up with the group.

B) We must help him.

C) We ought to assist him in every way we can.

1. Peter has a suggestion to make. 2. Peter reads very little. 3. Peter has low marks in English. 4. Peter doesn't feel well. 5. Peter intends to go to St Peters­burg for his vacation. 6. Peter wants to see the ballet "The Swan Lake" at the Bolshoy Theatre. 7. Peter's friend is leaving for the Far East tomorrow. 8. Peter is very nervous and excited. 9. Peter wants to read The Moscow News regularly. 10. Peter wants to buy a ready-made suit and a tie to match it. 11. Peter wants to have his hair cut. 12. Peter wants to have a suit made to order. 13. Peter is eager to know more about Russian art. 14. Peter wants to put up at the hotel "Moskva" when he comes to Moscow. 15. Peter is short-sighted. 16. Peter is expecting visitors tonight. 17. Peter was caught in the rain and is wet to the bone. 18. The doctor says that Peter is seriously ill. 19. Pe­ter is dead pale and worn-out. 20. Peter is not a back­ward student, but his vocabulary is very poor. 21. Pe­ter can very easily become one of our best students.

Exercise 8. Complete the following sentences.

1. Do you think something ought to be done about...? 2. You ought to phone your sister…. 3. If they don't come I think we ought to…. 4. I was tell­ing your mother she ought to.... 5. Of course what he ought to have done was.... 6. I don't want to say anything I oughtn't to…. 7. Before you go any fur­ther I think you ought to know that…. 8. There is something you ought to know.... 9.1 feel we ought to have tried to…. 10. You ought to get somebody…. 11. You oughtn't to have gone.... 12. Then she stopped and said she didn't know that she ought to.... 13. You ought to be aware.... 14. You ought to give your child.... 15. We felt we ought to let you know 16. You ought to have warned me….

Exercise 9. Complete the following sentences using the modal verb ought to.

1. You are looking poorly today, I can tell. You…. 2. When she was a girl she had had quite a taste for theatricals. They were enjoyable and everyone said she.... 3. He looked at his watch and said, "I think...." 4. When a boy Dirk Stroeve had a knack for drawing and his mother thought…. 5. He doesn't know the truth. You.... 6. I didn't mean to offend him. I…. 7. Your child looks pale and tired after that trip. I think.... 8. You must not conceal these facts from her. She.... 9. Don't think that I am interfering but.... 10. He is a real bore. He spoiled our trip. We.... 11. It's all my fault. I.... 12. These flowers are beautiful. Don't you think…. 13. It's raining cats and dogs to­day. You…. 14. It's-getting dark. Your children have not returned from the forest. You ... 15. He could have stayed for supper. There was no need for him to go to the hotel. I....

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Exercise 10. Make up short dialogues with the following statements.

I. 1. I suppose I ought to go for a walk. 2. I think I ought to go. 3. I think we ought to make it clear to her. 4. What sort of place do you think we ought to go to for our vacation? 5. I ought to know what I am talking about. 6. I think you ought to come and visit me. 7. I think we ought to go home. 8. Don't you think we ought to telephone her, first? 9. I ought not to have come here. 10. I think we ought to be getting back.

II. 11. I wish I knew what I ought to do. 12. You ought to see a doctor. 13. I think we ought to go to the dean's office to talk about this. 14. I think you ought to apologize to your friend. 15. You ought to write your friend's parents about his illness. 16. You ought to have taken your child's temper­ature. 17. A man ought to keep himself occupied. 18. I am sorry, Ann, I ought to have consulted you.

Exercise 11. Translate into English.

1. Вам следует чаще навещать ее. Она очень ску­чает без вас. 2. Вам нужно было пользоваться словарем, вы сделали много орфографических оши­бок. 3. Эта болезнь заразная. Ребенка следует изо­лировать. 4. Завтра, вероятно, будет хорошая по­года. 5. Вы должны быть более внимательны и ос­торожны. 6. Вам нужно было объяснить ей, что она была неправа. 7. Вы должны знать, что существу­ет много эффективных путей изучения иностран­ных языков. 8. Вам нужно проверить этот перевод еще раз. 9. Вам нужно было проявить больше вку­са в выборе подарка. Я не уверена, понравится ли ей эта картина. 10. Мне нужно сопровождать ее по городу. Она здесь первый раз и может заблудить­ся.

Exercise 12. Translate into English.

1. Вам нельзя рисковать здоровьем и отказы­вать себе в восьмичасовом сне. 2. Я знаю, что я не должен был делать это. 3. Вам не следовало гово­рить такие вещи в ее присутствии. 4. Вы должны заняться своими делами. 5. Мне следовало бы знать, что ваши слова обидят его. 6. Тебе следует чаще писать своим родителям. 7. Земля здесь неплодородная, но цветы, по-видимому, вырастут. 8. Тебе бы следовало выбрать более подходящее время для разговоров. 9. Я должна примириться с этим. 10. Я должна была поздравить его вчера, но совсем забыла о его дне рождения.

Exercise 11. Translate into English.

1. Я считаю, что мне следует сказать им всю правду. 2. Мне не следовало ссориться с ним по таким пустякам. 3. Ему не следовало вступать конфликт с коллегой, теперь он на него в обиде и они оба не могут плодотворно работать. 4. Мне кажется, что мой моральный долг предупредить г-на Смита о предстоящем банкротстве компании Крау и Сын. 5. Вам нельзя кушать жирную пищу. Ваша печень этого не выдержит. 6. Вы должны немедленно извиниться перед мисс Смит. 7. Нам следует чаще заботиться об окружающих. 8. Ей следовало предупредить нас заранее, что это болезнь заразна. 9. Вы должны тщательнее делать уборку квартиры, здесь маленькие дети. 10. Сотрудникам следует приходить на работу без четверти 9, так рабочий день начинается в 9 и все должны быть уже на рабочих местах.