should和ought to的区别

有读者问: should和ought to的区别如何?

should和ought to都意为“应该”,但前者的语气较为委婉,亦较为普通,常用以表一般性的忠告或意见,如:

(1)Carbon steel knives should be wiped clean after use.

(2)Crimes should be punished.

ought to的语气较强,常用以表示有针对性的意见,如:

(3)We ought to tidy up before we go home.

(4)She ought to see the doctor.

但ought to有时有“大概”的含义,如:

(5)He ought to be home by now.