What's the meaning of "ought to be doing"?

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Viceidol

#489207 Sat, 15 Mar 08 12:25 PM

Hi, everyone. I'm studying modals recently. I have a doubt about "ought to be doing". My grammar book says "ought to be doing" means "someone is not doing what he/she is supposed to do" in an affirmative sentence or "someone is doing what he/she isn't supposed to do" in an negative sentence. For example:

He ought not to be spending all his time on the TV. He should study for his exam.

We ought to be wearing seat belts, but we are not.

My question is: Does "ought to be doing" only has this meaning? Could it serve other function as well?

I hope you could tell me if there is any, thank you for your help!

Viceidol

Joined on Wed, Jul 11 2007

Taiwan

Regular Member (535)

Affirmative sentences, Grammar, Modals, Negatives

Yoong Liat

#489209 Sat, 15 Mar 08 12:36 PM

Ought to means should.

Ought not to means should not

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (6,008)

Yoong Liat

ganesh77

#489225 Sat, 15 Mar 08 01:42 PM

You use should or ought to:

1 to say that you expect something to happen

He ought to be here soon.

2 to say that something is morally right

People ought to wear seat belts.

3 when you are giving someone advice

You ought to see a doctor.

ganesh77

Joined on Mon, Mar 10 2008

Vancouver, Bangkok

Junior Member (52)

The principle which now replies I don't know what was there a hundred years back, the same principle also says that it was unaffected when the whole universe was destroyed....

Philip

#489248 Sat, 15 Mar 08 03:36 PM

It doesn't have to be comparing what we are doing to what we should be doing. "We ought to leave/to be leaving at 10" implies that we probably will leave by then, because of necessity.