Possible meaning of "oughtn't (to) have done" and "shouldn't have done"?

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Anonymous  #556329  Tue, 19 Aug 08 01:18 AM

What you said is right, for should means possibility and obligation and ought means only obligation.
Therefore he shouldn't have left for America means
It is possible that he hasn't left for America andHe was not obliged to leave for America, but he did. On the other hand, he oughtn't have left for America only means He was not obliged to leave for America, but he did.

  
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