7-7 Expressing advice: should and ought to
(a) My clothes are duty I {ought snoura wash them.
(b) INCORRECT: I should m wash them.
(c) INCORRECT: I ought washing them.anoura ana ougnr ro nave me same meanmg.
They mean: "This is a good idea. This is good
advice."
FORMS:
should + simple form of a wrb (no to)
I I ouzht + to + simple firm of a wrb
(d) You need your sleep. You should not NEGATIVB: should + not = shouldn't
(shouldn't) stay up late. (Ought to is usually not used in the negative.)
(e) A: I'm going to be late. What should I do?
B: Run.
(f) A: I'm tired today.
B: You shouldlought w go home and take a nap.
(g) A: I'm tired today.
B: Maybe you shouldloughr to go home and
take a nap.QrmsnoN: should + subject + main verb
(Ought to is usually not used in questions.)
The use of maybe with should and ought to
''softens" advice. COMPARE:
In (f): Speaker B is giving definite advice. He is
stating clearly that he believes going home for a nap
is a good idea and is the solution to Speaker A's
problem.
In (g): Speaker B is maldng a suggestion: going
home for a nap is one possible way to solve Speaker
A's problem.EXERCISE 17. Expressing advice: SHOULD and OUGHT TO. (Chart 7-7)
Directions: Work in uairs.
Speaker A: State the problem.
Speaker B: Give advice using should or ought to. Include maybe to soften the advice if
you wish.
Example: I'm sleepy.
SPEAKER A: I'm sleepy.
SPEAKER B: (Maybe) You should/ought to drink a cup of tea.- I'm hungry.
- I'm cold.
- 1 have a toothache.
- 1 have the hiccups. What should I do?
- I left my sunglasses at a restaurant yesterday. What should I do?
Switch roles. - I'm hot.
- 1 have a headache.
- Someone stole my bicycle. What should I do?
- I bought a pair of pants that don't fit. They're too long.
- I always make a lot of spelling mistakes when I write. I don't know what to do about
it. What do you suggest?
202 CHAPTER 7