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Part 2 · Episode 19 B1-B2

You Ought to Try

📐 ought to vs should

Benjamin Franklin · 1750s: Benjamin Franklin's mentorship 📖 6 min read

Episode 19: You Ought to Try

ought to vs should — Benjamin Franklin, 1750s (B1-B2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: “Ought to” and “should” have essentially the same meaning—both give advice or express what’s right or wise to do. “Ought to” sounds slightly more formal or traditional.

Form: ought to + base verb; should + base verb

Example 1: “You ought to see a doctor about that cough.” (advice, formal tone)

Example 2: “You should see a doctor about that cough.” (advice, more common)

Common mistake: Wrong: “You ought see a doctor.” Better: “You ought to see a doctor.” (ought requires “to”)

The Challenge

Luna’s friend asked for advice about a difficult decision. “You should think carefully,” Luna said. Professor Wisdom appeared thoughtfully. “That’s good advice, but would ‘ought to’ change the tone at all?” Luna considered whether the two expressions differed in weight or formality. The watch glowed warmly, taking them to colonial Philadelphia where one of America’s founding fathers made mentorship and wise counsel his life’s work.

The Journey

Benjamin Franklin sat in his printing shop in 1750s Philadelphia, surrounded by young apprentices eager to learn his trade and his wisdom. At fifty, Franklin had already achieved success as a printer, writer, inventor, and civic leader. But perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to offer advice that combined practical wisdom with genuine care for those he mentored.

“You ought to learn more than just printing,” Franklin told a young apprentice named David Hall, who would later become his business partner. “You should study writing, mathematics, and foreign languages. These skills ought to serve you well throughout your life.” Notice how Franklin moved naturally between “ought to” and “should”—both expressing the same advice but with slightly different flavors.

Franklin’s famous “Poor Richard’s Almanack” was filled with advice that used both forms. “You ought to save for the future,” he wrote in one edition. “You should never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” To Franklin’s ear, “ought to” carried a slightly more traditional, almost moral weight, while “should” felt more practical and conversational. Both conveyed wisdom, but “ought to” suggested timeless truth while “should” offered friendly guidance.

In his letters to young people seeking advice, Franklin showed this nuance clearly. “You ought to respect your elders and honor your commitments,” he wrote to one correspondent, using “ought to” for matters of character and moral obligation. Then he added, “You should also invest in self-improvement and you should read widely,” using “should” for practical recommendations that would benefit them personally.

The smell of ink and paper filled Franklin’s shop as he composed responses to the many letters seeking his counsel. Outside, Philadelphia bustled with the energy of a growing colonial city. Franklin understood that good advice required the right tone—too forceful and people resisted, too casual and they ignored it. “Ought to” worked for serious matters and formal contexts, while “should” served everyday guidance.

“A young person ought to establish good habits early,” Franklin told a visitor, using the formal construction to emphasize importance. “But they should also enjoy life and pursue their interests,” he continued, shifting to “should” for more flexible, personal advice. This subtle variation helped him communicate both moral conviction and practical flexibility.

The Deep Dive

“Ought to” and “should” are essentially synonymous—both express advice, obligation, or expectation. In most contexts, you can use them interchangeably: “You should call your mother” means the same as “You ought to call your mother.” The main difference is usage frequency and formality. “Should” is far more common in modern English, especially in speech, while “ought to” sounds slightly more formal, traditional, or emphatic.

“Ought to” appears more often in formal writing, moral advice, or when giving weight to recommendations: “Citizens ought to vote in elections” sounds more formal and duty-focused than “Citizens should vote.” In everyday conversation, most English speakers prefer “should” for all situations. However, “ought to” hasn’t disappeared—it still appears when speakers want to emphasize moral rightness or invoke traditional values.

Grammatically, remember that “ought” requires “to” before the verb (“ought to go,” never “ought go”), while “should” doesn’t (“should go,” never “should to go”). For negatives, “shouldn’t” is very common, while “oughtn’t to” or “ought not to” sound quite formal and old-fashioned—most speakers say “shouldn’t” even when using “ought to” for positive statements. Questions with “ought” (“Ought we to leave now?”) are rare; “Should we leave now?” is standard.

More Examples

History: “Franklin believed people ought to contribute to their communities and should use their talents for public good.” (moral duty + practical advice)

Science: “Researchers ought to follow ethical guidelines and should verify their results carefully.” (formal obligation + practical necessity)

Everyday: “You really ought to try this restaurant—you should taste their signature dish.” (emphasis + regular suggestion)

Formal: “Governments ought to protect citizens’ rights and should implement effective policies.” (moral responsibility + practical action)

Informal: “You should totally come to the party! (We’d rarely say “ought to” here—too formal for casual invitation)

Contrast: “Ought” for formal/moral weight: “Students ought to respect their teachers” vs “Should” for everyday advice: “You should bring an umbrella—it might rain”

Practice & Reflection

Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blank: For everyday advice to a friend, use: “You __ (ought to/should) try the new coffee shop.”

  2. Correct the mistake: “You ought see a dentist about that toothache.”

  3. Choose and explain: Which sounds more formal or traditional?
    a) “You should honor your promises.”
    b) “You ought to honor your promises.”

  4. Rewrite: Make it more formal: “People should care about the environment.”

  5. Compare: When would you use “ought to” instead of “should”?

  6. Your reflection: Write one piece of moral advice using “ought to” and one piece of practical advice using “should.”

Answer Key:
1. should (more natural for casual, everyday advice between friends)
2. You ought to see a dentist (ought requires “to” before the verb)
3. (b) — “ought to” sounds more formal and carries slightly more moral weight
4. People ought to care about the environment (formal, moral emphasis)
5. Use “ought to” for formal contexts, moral advice, or when emphasizing seriousness/importance
6. Check: Does “ought to” sound formal/moral? Does “should” sound more casual/practical?

The Lesson

Luna nodded with new awareness. “So I could say ‘You should think carefully’ for friendly advice,” she told Professor Wisdom, “or ‘You ought to consider all options’ if I want to sound more serious and formal?” The Professor smiled warmly. “Exactly. Benjamin Franklin mastered this subtle difference—using ‘ought to’ when invoking timeless wisdom or moral duty, and ‘should’ for everyday practical guidance. Both give good advice, but the choice of form affects how serious and formal you sound. In modern English, ‘should’ works for almost everything, but ‘ought to’ still has its place when you want to emphasize the weight of your counsel.”