Should, Ought and Must
Should and ought have similar meanings. They are both used to talk about obligation, and to give advice or instructions.
- We should respect our parents.
- We ought to respect our parents.
- You should stop smoking.
- You ought to stop smoking.
Must is stronger than should and ought.
- You must stop smoking. (A command.)
- You should/ought to stop smoking. (A piece of advice.)
Must expresses certainty. Should/ought to expresses probability.
- He must be home now. (It is certain.)
- He should be home now. (It is probable.)
Sections in this article
Sentence agreement
Sentence agreement: plural subjects
Sentence agreement: collective nouns
Sentence agreement: indefinite pronouns
See also
Common mistakes in the use of nouns
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 1
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 2
Common mistakes in the use of nouns | Exercise 3
More CBSE English Grammar worksheets
Passive voice worksheet | Simple past tensePassive voice worksheet | Past continuous tense
Passive voice worksheet | Simple future tense
Passive voice worksheet | Future perfect tense