In Modern English the modal verb “should” is used with reference to the present or future. It remains unchanged in reported speech.

SHOULD.

In Modern English the modal verb “should” is used with reference to the present or future. It remains unchanged in reported speech.

“Should” has the following meanings:

1)Advisability, desirability, recommendation. “Should” in this meaning is found in all kinds of sentences. It is used with the simple infinitive or with the continuous infinitive.

e.g. It’s late. You should go to bed.

You shouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Should I talk to him about it?

You shouldn’t be sitting in the sun. Move out of it into the hade.

2) Moral obligation, moral duty, which may not be fulfilled. “Should” is found in the sense in all kinds of sentences. However “ought to” is preferable.

e.g. Students should not come late to classes.

Private firearms should be banned.

He should phone his parents tonight, but he probably won’t have time.

3) Criticism of the past action (with the perfect infinitive)

SHOULD + PERFECT INFINITIVE indicates that a desirable has not been carried out.

e.g. It was a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn’t you?

I wonder why they’re so late. They should have been here an hour ago.

SHOULDN’T + PERFECT INFINITIVE serves to show that something wrong has been

done.

e.g. I’m feeling sick. I shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate.

They shouldn’t have concealed from us.

She shouldn’t have been listening to our conversation (the perfect continuous

infinitive). It was private.

4) Probability, something that can be logically expected (only with reference to the present or future). In this sense it is synonymous with “must”.

e.g. The effect of the tax should be felt in high prices (will probably be felt).

We needn’t get ready yet. The guests shouldn’t come for another hour (…вряд ли придут раньше, чем через час)

It’s Monday. He should be here.

It should be fun.

He shouldn’t be alive.

5) “Should” may be used for emotional colouring.

Ø in rhetorical questions, which express indignation, irritation.

e.g. Why should I do it? (с какой стати…?)

Why should I go there now? (чего ради…?)

How should I know? (почём я знаю?)

Ø in sentences expressing surprise.

e.g. The door opened and who should come in but Tom (дверь открылась, и кто бы вы думали вошёл? Не кто иной, как Том.)

As I was crossing the street, whom should I meet but Aunt Ann.

OUGHT TO.

The modal verb “ought to” has only one form. In reported speech it remains unchanged. “Ought” is always followed by the infinitive with “to”.

“Ought to” has the following meanings:

1) advisability, desirability, recommendation.

In this meaning “ought to” is possible in all kinds of sentences.

e.g. You ought to say a word or two about yourself.

Jock ought not to go to bed so late.

Ought the to warn him?

He really ought to buy a new car, oughtn’t we?

NB.: In AmE the contraction “oughtn’t” is rarely used. Therefore it is often replaced by “shouldn’t” in disjunctive questions.

eg. We ought to call him up, shouldn’t we?

2) moral obligation, moral duty, which is not always fulfilled. It corresponds to the Russian следует.

eg. You ought to look after your children bitter.

At your age you ought to be earning your living.

You ought to feel some respect for your elders.

3) criticism of the past action (with the perfect infinitive)

OUGHT+PERFECT INFINITIVE means that something right has not been done.

eg. It was a great party last night. You ought to have come.

You ought to have helped him.

He ought to have chosen a more suitable time to tell me this news.

OUGHTN’T+PERFECT INFINITIVE means that something wrong has been done.

e.g. I’m sorry. I ought not to have said it.

You oughtn’t to have married her. It was a mistake.

4) Probability, something that can be logically expected (only with reference to the present or future). It corresponds to the Russian должно быть, наверное.

e.g. She’s been studying hard for the exam, so she ought to pass.

Flowers ought to grow well here.

If he started at nine, he ought to be here by four.

There oughtn’t to be any difficulty.

N.B.: Although “should” and “ought to” are very much alike in meaning and are often interchangeable, it is important to note that in using “ought to” we lay more stress on the meaning of moral obligation, whereas “should” is commonly used to express advisability, instructions and corrections.

e.g. You ought to help him; he is in trouble.

You should use the definite article in this sentence.

Notice that “ought to” cannot be used instead of the emotional “should”.

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