Ought To
"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."
Examples:
· You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
· Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves it.
· This stock ought to increase in value. probability
· Mark ought not drink so much. advice against something (notice there is no "to")
Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
ought to recommendation, advice
1. Margaret ought to exercise more.
2. Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the marathon.
3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight.
1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause injury.
2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape.
3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us.
should
ought to assumption, expectation, probability
1. She ought to have the package by now.
2. She ought to have received the package yesterday.
3. She ought to receive the package tonight.
"Ought not" is used primarily to express negative recommendations. (See above.)
should
Notice "Ought not"Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not."
Examples:
· You ought not smoke so much.
· She ought not take such risks while skiing.
· They ought not carry so much cash while traveling.
martes, 23 de febrero de 2010
SHOULD
Should
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
· When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
· You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
· I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
· By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation
Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
should recommendation, advisability
1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods.
2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack.
3. You really should start eating better.
1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health.
2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems.
3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.
ought to
should obligation
I should be at work before 9:00.
We should return the video before the video rental store closes.
"Should" can also express something between recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to" expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the past or in negative forms.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
be supposed to
should expectation
1. Susan should be in New York by now.
2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to.
3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday.
1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet.
2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday.
3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.
ought to, be supposed to
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
· When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
· You should focus more on your family and less on work. advice
· I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. obligation
· By now, they should already be in Dubai. expectation
Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
should recommendation, advisability
1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods.
2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack.
3. You really should start eating better.
1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health.
2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems.
3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.
ought to
should obligation
I should be at work before 9:00.
We should return the video before the video rental store closes.
"Should" can also express something between recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to" expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the past or in negative forms.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
be supposed to
should expectation
1. Susan should be in New York by now.
2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to.
3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday.
1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet.
2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday.
3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.
ought to, be supposed to
MUST
Must
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
Examples:
· This must be the right address! certainty
· Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
· You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
· Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition
Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
must certainty
1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair.
2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
have to
must not prohibition
You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.
You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics.
Prohibition usually refer to the near future.
must strong recommendation
(Americans prefer the form "should.")
1. You must take some time off and get some rest.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest.
1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver.
should
must necessity
(Americans prefer the form "have to.")
1. You must have a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park.
3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
have to
REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to""Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
· You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.
· You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.
"Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
Examples:
· This must be the right address! certainty
· Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. necessity
· You must take some medicine for that cough. strong recommendation
· Jenny, you must not play in the street! prohibition
Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
must certainty
1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair.
2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
have to
must not prohibition
You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.
You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics.
Prohibition usually refer to the near future.
must strong recommendation
(Americans prefer the form "should.")
1. You must take some time off and get some rest.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest.
1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver.
should
must necessity
(Americans prefer the form "have to.")
1. You must have a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park.
3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park.
have to
REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to""Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
· You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.
· You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.
MIGHT
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
· Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
· If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
· You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
· Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
might possibility
1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.
2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work.
3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.
1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.
2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home.
3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.
could, may
might conditional of may
1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.
2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won.
3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.
1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.
2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won.
3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.
might suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You might have tried the cheese cake.
3. You might try the cheesecake.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON
3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.
could
might request
(British form)
Might I have something to drink?
Might I borrow the stapler?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON
could, may, can
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
· Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
· Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
· Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
· If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
· You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
· Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
might possibility
1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.
2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work.
3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.
1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.
2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home.
3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.
could, may
might conditional of may
1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.
2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won.
3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.
1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.
2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won.
3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.
might suggestion
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You might have tried the cheese cake.
3. You might try the cheesecake.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON
3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.
could
might request
(British form)
Might I have something to drink?
Might I borrow the stapler?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON
could, may, can
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
· Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
· Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.
MAY
May
"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.
Examples:
· Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility
· Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission
· May I use your bathroom? request permission
Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
maypossibility
1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired.
2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired.
3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth.
1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired.
3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth
might
maygive permission
1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with your dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner.
3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner.
1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with your dinner yet.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner.
3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner.
can
mayrequest permission
May I borrow your eraser?
May I make a phone call?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
can, might
"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.
Examples:
· Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility
· Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission
· May I use your bathroom? request permission
Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
maypossibility
1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired.
2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired.
3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth.
1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired.
3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth
might
maygive permission
1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with your dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner.
3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner.
1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with your dinner yet.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner.
3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner.
can
mayrequest permission
May I borrow your eraser?
May I make a phone call?
Requests usually refer to the near future.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
can, might
HAD BETTER
Had Better
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.
Examples:
· You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
· That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
· You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning
Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.
Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
had better recommendation
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People should unplug toasters before they clean them.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it.
3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it.
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first.
3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it.
should, ought to
had better desperate hope,warning
The movie had better end soon.
They had better be here before we start dinner.
Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.
They had better not be late.
They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift.
Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.
"Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English.
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.
Examples:
· You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
· That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
· You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning
Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.
Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
had better recommendation
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People should unplug toasters before they clean them.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it.
3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it.
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first.
3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it.
should, ought to
had better desperate hope,warning
The movie had better end soon.
They had better be here before we start dinner.
Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.
They had better not be late.
They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift.
Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.
"Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English.
HAVE GOT TO
Have Got To
"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.
Examples:
· Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. necessity
· I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. obligation
Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have got to" behaves in different contexts.
Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
have got to necessity
1. People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded theater.
3. You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" People don't have to be there on time to get a seat.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You didn't have to be there on time to get a seat.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You won't have to be there on time to get a seat.
have to, must
haven't got to future obligation
Haven't you got to be there by 7:00?
Haven't you got to finish that project today?
"Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations. It can be used in statements, but this is less common.
Don't you have to
"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.
Examples:
· Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. necessity
· I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. obligation
Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "have got to" behaves in different contexts.
Use
Positive Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also use:
have got to necessity
1. People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded theater.
3. You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a seat in the crowded theater.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" People don't have to be there on time to get a seat.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You didn't have to be there on time to get a seat.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" You won't have to be there on time to get a seat.
have to, must
haven't got to future obligation
Haven't you got to be there by 7:00?
Haven't you got to finish that project today?
"Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations. It can be used in statements, but this is less common.
Don't you have to
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