Ought to and be supposed to
Ought to for advice like should, be supposed to for rules and plans: you're supposed to book, the train was supposed to leave at six.
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Ought to means almost the same as should: it gives advice or says what is right. Be supposed to says what a rule, a plan or other people expect. Was supposed to often means that the plan didn't happen.
Ought to: like should
Ought to + verb is the same for every person. It means the same as should, but it is less common, especially in questions and negatives.
- You ought to see a doctor about that cough.
- We ought to leave now, or we'll miss the train.
- They ought to pay their staff more.
- Incorrect: You ought see this film. It's great.
- Correct: You ought to see this film. It's great.Ought is followed by to + verb.
The negative is ought not to (or oughtn't to), but most people say shouldn't. Questions with ought are rare: we ask with should.
- Incorrect: You don't ought to work so late.
- Correct: You shouldn't work so late. / You ought not to work so late.Ought has no do in the negative.
- Should I call him? (More usual than Ought I to call him?)
Be supposed to: rules and what people expect
Be supposed to + verb says what you must or should do because of a rule, an arrangement or what other people expect. The verb be changes for the person and the tense.
Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
I'm supposed to start at 9 | I'm not supposed to park here | Am I supposed to sign this? |
she's supposed to call us | she isn't supposed to know | What are we supposed to do? |
- You're supposed to take your shoes off when you go in.
- Employees are supposed to wear their ID cards at all times.
- Incorrect: We supposed to be there at seven.
- Correct: We're supposed to be there at seven.Don't forget be: are supposed to.
- Incorrect: You're suppose to pay at the desk.
- Correct: You're supposed to pay at the desk.It is always supposed, with -d, even though the d is hard to hear.
Not supposed to: not allowed, or a bad idea
Not supposed to often means that something is against the rules. It is softer than mustn't or not allowed to.
- You're not supposed to use your phone in here.
- Shh. You're not supposed to talk during the film.
Was supposed to: a plan that didn't happen
Was or were supposed to says what was planned or expected in the past. Usually it tells us that it didn't happen.
- The train was supposed to leave at six, but it was an hour late.
- I was supposed to meet Anna yesterday, but I forgot.
- Incorrect: I should meet my sister last night, but she was ill.
- Correct: I was supposed to meet my sister last night, but she was ill.Should + verb can't refer to last night. For a plan that didn't happen, use was supposed to.
Supposed to be: what people say
Be supposed to be can also mean "people say that it is".
- This restaurant is supposed to be very good.
- The film is supposed to be funny, but I didn't laugh once.
Should or be supposed to?
With should and ought to, the speaker gives an opinion. With be supposed to, the rule or the plan comes from someone else, and the speaker may not agree with it.
- You should go to bed early tonight. (My advice.)
- We're supposed to finish by five. (That's what the boss wants.)
- I know I'm supposed to exercise every day, but I don't have time.
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All B1 rulesModal verbs: all rules