Ought to y should

Ought to y should son verbos auxiliares modales. Usamos estos dos auxiliares modales para expresar sugerencias, consejos, lo que nos gustaría o no que sucediera, la obligación, la deducción y el deber de uno. Miremos más de cerca.

Ought to — Se usa en el presente, futuro y pasado

(Solo se usa en el pasado cuando va precedido por un verbo en el pasado o cuando va seguido por un infinitivo).

Usamos ‘ought to’ para expresar o determinar qué es correcto, ya sea un consejo o un hecho.

Se usa en el presente, futuro y pasado. (Solo se usa en el pasado cuando va precedido por un verbo en el pasado o cuando va seguido por un infinitivo).

  • You ought not to speak so loudly young lad.
  • I ought to make a trip to the United States one day.
  • I really ought to have seen him yesterday. (past = ‘ought to’ + present perfect).

Ought to — Se usa para dar consejos o sugerencias

  • You ought to learn how to play the violin, you’d be good at it.
  • She oughtn’t to have left her books on the desk.
  • You ought to try some of the fresh apple pie I just made.

Ought to — Se usa para expresar qué nos gusta o qué nos gustaría que pasara

  • Lawyers ought to earn more money for all the hours that they put in.
  • I ought to see my father at some point.
  • Older people oughtn’t to be sent to a retirement home.

Should — Se usa para expresar obligación (obligación de menor grado que ‘must’ o ‘need to’)

  • You shouldn’t go to town dressed like that Jimmy.
  • I should really do my taxes at some point.
  • They should always wait and look both ways before crossing the road.

Should — Se usa should para expresar deber

  • People should always be careful with their belongings.
  • You should get up early every morning if you want to live a healthy lifestyle.
  • You should be the commander-in-chief.

Should — Se usa should para deducir (cuando algo es probable)

  • If we’re lucky we should win the race in no time.
  • I should be able to come to the party tomorrow around 18h if that’s okay?
  • Our colleague isn’t here yet, but he should be arriving shortly.

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