Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #130763: Focus sur SHOULD/ OUGHT TO: necessity and duty.
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Focus sur SHOULD/ OUGHT TO: necessity and duty. - English lesson

After reviewing 'possibility, 'physical and intellectual ability' with CAN/ COULD, 'permission and eventuality' with MAY/ MIGHT,

and 'obligation', and 'near certainty' with MUST, in this FOCUS,

we willl now review 'necessity and duty' with SHOULD.

1) In the affirmative form, SHOULD expresses WHAT IS IDEAL OR DESIRED:

the ideal or best thing to do in a situation.

- There should be traffic lights at this dangerous crossroads.

✔️ In the past, SHOULD HAVE + past participle expresses things which used to be ideal in the past, but which didn't take place. Therefore, it may often express a regret.

- I should have studied harder in high school, I could have gone to College...

2) Should is used to give advice or to make suggestions.

- You should tell him the truth as soon as you see him.

- He should leave that unfinished work until tomorrow.

✔️ Should is used to ask suggested questions:

This comes to suggesting somebody should do something.

- Should we go to the park now, it may rain this afternoon... ?

3) In the negative form, SHOULD NOT (contracted in SHOULDN'T) expresses a reproach, a blame.

- You shouldn't have let the boy go out. His parents don't let him...

4) SHOULD may express what is likely to happen.

- There should be a lot of young people at Tom's party... He has so many friends.

5) SHOULD and OUGHT TO:

Should is used in everyday language, whereas ought to is more formal.

It is seldom used in interrogative and negative sentences (except in very formal

language). In that case, use SHOULD (but 'oughtn't to' exists and is correct.)

OUGHT TO shows a sense of obligation and of duty which is stronger than SHOULD.

It suggests that something is necessary; it's the right thing to do. It's rather used to express a moral or ethical obligation. (real or felt)

- You've been rude and ought to apologise to him immediately.

BE CAREFUL: OUGHT is always followed by TO, SHOULD is never!

Here are the different uses of 'should' in order to express necessity and duty. You'll have to check whether the action was done, or not... Should enables us to suggest, to express regrets, but also to advise or blame someone...

Therefore, should is very useful... It's ready to help you out in lots of circumstances!

We only need to know what to do with this help...

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1. If you want to play with your friends, you your room before.

2. 'Oh dear... I’m feeling sick… I so much chocolate.’

3. Debbie out so late at night after school. She'll be tired in the morning.

4. It’s raining again… sunny at that time of year.

5. You away that picture of yourself… For sure, your GrandMa would like to have it a lot.

6. There fewer people in the station at that time of day…

7. We those who gave their lives for our countries…

8. The price of petrol … It’s so expensive…

9. 'Yes, in my opinion, you home so as to thank your grandparents for this great present…’

10. There so many people at the beach today. The ocean is freezing.

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