You ought to study harder.
(b) Drivers should obey the speed limit. Drivers ought to obey the speed limit.
Should and ought to have the same meaning: they express advisability. The meaning ranges in strength from a suggestion ("This is a good idea") to a statement about responsibility or duty ("This is a very important thing to do"). In (a): "This is a good idea. This is my advice." In "This is an important responsibility."
(c) You shouldn't leave your keys in the car. Negative contraction: shouldn't* (d) I to study tonight, but I think I'll
watch TV instead.
Ought to is often pronounced "otta" in informal speaking.
(e) The gas tank is almost empty. We had better stop at the next service station.
(f) You had better take care of that cut on your hand soon, or it will get infected.
In meaning, had better is close to to, but had better is usually stronger. Often had better implies a warning or a threat of possible bad
consequences. In (e): If we don't stop at a service station, there will be a bad result. We will run out of gas.
Notes on the use of had better: • It has a present or future meaning. • It is followed by the simple form of a verb. • It is more common in speaking than writing. (g) better take care of it.
You better take care of it. Contraction:Sometimes in better, as in (g). had is dropped, as in You'd better not be late. Negative form: had better + not.
to is not commonly used in the negative. If it is used in the negative, the to is sometimes dropped: You oughtn't (to) leave your keys in the car.
EXERCISE OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER. (Chart 9-7) Directions: Work in pairs, in groups, or as a class.
Speaker A: Your book is open. Present the problem as given in the text.
Speaker B: Your book is closed. Give advice by using ought or had better. Example:
SPEAKER A (book open): I have a test tomorrow.
SPEAKER B (book dosed): You should (ought to, had better) study tonight. I'm writing a composition, and there is a word I don't know how to spell. 2. I don't feel well. I think I'm catching a cold.
3. I can't see the chalkboard when I sit in the back row. 4. I'm cold.
5. My foot is asleep.
6. My roommate snores, and I can't get to sleep.
7. My friend is arriving at the airport this evening. I'm supposed to pick him up, but I've forgotten what time his plane gets in.
8. My apartment is a mess, and my mother is coming to visit tomorrow!
9. There's no food in the house, and some guests are coming to dinner tonight.
10. I can't stop yawning. I have a toothache.
I need to improve my English. 13. I have the hiccups.
14. When William gets out of college, his parents expect him to manage the family business, a shoe store, but he wants to be an architect.
younger brother, who is is using illegal drugs. How can she help him?
The Taylors' daughter is very excited about going to Denmark to study for four months. You've been an international student, haven't you? Could you give her some advice?
EXERCISE 12. TO, HAD BETTER. (Chart 9-7) Directions: Complete the dialogues with your own words.
1. A: Oops! I spilled B: You'd better if
2. A: The shoes I bought last week B: Oh? You ought to
3. A: Jimmy, you'd better or I'm going to
B: Okay, Mom. I'll do it right now. 4. A: I'd better
B: I agree. It'll be winter soon.
5. A: I've been studying for three days straight. B: I know. You should
A: I know, but
6. A: Kids, your dad and I work hard all day long. Don't you think you
B:
7. A: My doctor said I should , but I
B: Well, I think you'd better
8. A: You should if you
B: Thanks for reminding me. better
9. A: Have you B: No, not yet. A: You really ought to
10. A: Mary's always wanted to learn how to B: Isn't your brother
You should
A: Do you think I ought to or
B: I think you'd better . If you don't,
A: Lately I can't seem to concentrate on anything, and I feel
B: Maybe you should
Or have you thought about
EXERCISE 13. Necessity, advisability, and prohibition. (Charts 9-5 9-7)
Directions: Which sentence in the following pairs is stronger? Discuss situations in which a speaker might say these sentences.
a. You should go to a doctor. 4. a. I have to go to the post b. better go to a doctor. b. I should go to the post office. 2. a. Mary should go to work today. 5. a. We go into that
b. Mary must go to work today. b. We must not go into that room. 3. a. got to go to class. 6. a. better not go there
b. We ought to go to class. b. You go there alone. EXERCISE 14. SHOULD vs. MUST/HAVE TO. (Charts 9-5 9-7)
Directions: Use either should or have to in the following. In some sentences either is possible, but the meaning is different. Discuss the meanings of the completions.
A person 0 eat in order to live.
2. A person eat a balanced diet.
3. If you want to become a doctor, you go to medical school for many years.
4. I don't have enough money to take the bus, so I walk home. 5. Walking is good exercise. You say you want to get more exercise. You
walk to and from work instead of taking the bus.
6. We go to Colorado for our vacation.
7. According to my advisor, I take another English course.
Rice have water in order to grow. 9. This pie is very good. You try a piece.
This pie is excellent! You try a
9-8 THE PAST FORM SHOULD