GIVE ANSWERS - English

Stem nu!beantwoordTaalvraag
I mostly hear "should" but I see "ought to" in books a lot. What is the difference? One is old-fashioned and one is not?

GIVE ANSWERS

exRanger profile picture exRangerJanuary 2020
"Should", which comes from the term "shall", is, among (most) native speakers, the more direct way of urging an action, behavior, etc., without being forceful; the expression "ought to", which likely came to English from Celtic (read: Irish, chiefly), has roughly the same meaning but implies an element of "scolding" or firm expectation... and @ times disappointment in the actions of another (usually after the fact), example: "You ought to have attended the meeting."

But @ the end of the day they are, more or less, synonymous.

(just my two kopecks)

-exRanger
omniglot_augustinus profile picture omniglot_augustinusJanuary 2020
Although they are synonymous, there is a slight difference in feeling. Should seems more assertive than ought to. This being said, in spoken language one says "ought'a".
Stefania90 profile picture Stefania90January 2020

They are synonyms, but well, I also think we tend to use Should more than Ought to... but I wouldn't say it's old fashioned... Nonetheless, let's see the opinion of native speakers :D