Dec 4, 2020 · In some areas, for instance, ought to occurs more frequently than in others [emphasis mine - Alex B.]" (p. 233). However, we can observe general, supra-dialectal trends: ought is more common in speech than in writing - 56% (spoken), 44% (written) in Cappelle and Desutter 2010. Collins 2009 reports the speech-writing ratios 3:1 for BrE and 4:1 ...

Mar 9, 2019 · There's a use of the word "ought" from the Bible I don't understand. I've highlighted the relevant word: Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. King James Version

This alternation of ought not go vs ought not to go resembles the behavior of need and dare, which are also Negative Polarity Items as modals, though with a different syntax. Outside negative polarity environments, though, the to in ought to seems likely to remain for a while.

Nov 12, 2010 · Interrogatives and negatives with ought are rare; should is generally preferred instead. Elsewhere in the book they say: Should is used to hedge conclusions and predictions, but it expresses confidence in the probability that a situation will occur in a particular way. They don't say whether or not ought to can be used in this way. The ...

Oct 21, 2023 · I wonder when I can say "ought" without "to". Some examples: 1: Ought I to tell him? 2: Yes, you ought to; 3: No, you ought not to; 4: I don't learn as often as I ought to; 5: ‘Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to).’ (From Oxford Learner's Dictionary) 6: We ought not to have ordered so much food

Jun 14, 2021 · If you travel by way of your profession, that too will have an effect on how you are addressed. The other thing is that you do not give any contextual examples. "You should not drive so fast"/"You ought not to drive so fast", are clearly different. "I should say that she is about 30" differs hugely from "I ought to say that she is about 30."

Feb 11, 2016 · Ought to be, would and had better cannot be qualified by it is essential that... If something ought to be done it ought to be done. It is not gradable and subject to essentiality qualifications. Similarly with had better. If it would be done, it is outside the scope of anyone to alter anything - so essential/inessential does not apply.

Nov 29, 2022 · Ought is the stronger, expressing especially obligations of duty, with some weaker use in expressing interest or necessity: as, you ought to know, if any one does. Should sometimes expresses duty: as, we should be careful of others' feelings; but generally expresses propriety, expediency, etc.: as, we should dot our i's and cross our t's.

Mar 29, 2015 · For instance, I am supposed to/ought to learn English today. I don't have to learn english today, but to me it would be very useful if I learned English today because I could improme my skill. I suspuect that ought to is more suitable here, isn't it? Another example, I ought to/am supposed to meet my friend in the railway station today. Here is ...

Oct 2, 2019 · The use of "aught" and "ought" to mean "zero" is very much proscribed as the word "aught" actually means the opposite of "naught": "anything". This may be due to misanalysis, or may simply be the result of unknowing speakers confusing the meanings of "aught" and "naught" due to similar-sounding phonemes.