You ought to be ashamed of yourself

[English Learner]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #266 "Gerund and Infinitive Practice (5)", question 5

You ought ......... ashamed of yourself. You should never hurt an animal!

(a) being
(b) to be
(c) be
(d) was

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #266 "Gerund and Infinitive Practice (5)", answer 5

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You should never hurt an animal!

Correct answer: (b) to be
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what does ought mean?

[Mister Micawber]

'Ought to' is a semi-auxiliary verb meaning 'should'.

auxiliary verb
1. (used to express duty or moral obligation): Every citizen ought to help.
2. (used to express justice, moral rightness, or the like): He ought to be punished. You ought to be ashamed.
3. (used to express propriety, appropriateness, etc.): You ought to be home early. We ought to bring her some flowers.
4. (used to express probability or natural consequence): That ought to be our train now.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's