what does word "ought" mean?

[Akbope]

what does word "ought" mean?

[Alan]

Hi,

'Ought' is one of the so called 'defective' verbs because it doesn't have a complete set of parts - participles, infinitive and so on. It is invariably followed by an infinitive form - I ought to go/I ought to have gone. Probably the nearest modal to it is 'should'. There is a distinction between 'I should go' and 'I ought to go'. 'Should go' gives the idea of the right thing to do but 'ought to go' gives this more the idea of a moral 'right thing to do'

Compare these two:

You should clean your teeth regularly

You ought to keep in touch with your parents.

Alan
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