Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[stellara]

hi guys

can you help me, where is the difference between 'ought to', 'should', 'meant to', 'said to' and so on?!
i'll try it myself and you'll correct me, okay?

i think, 'ought to' is like a recommendation, like "it's better if you go now" <-> "you ought to go now" ?

'should' has a similar meaning as 'ought to' but it's more an order, a strong recommendation?

with 'meant to' i'm not sure how to define it at all..

and 'said to' is a rumour? like "xx is said to be seriously ill" <-> " i've heard that xx is seriously ill" ?

i've most problems with 'ought to' and 'should', i use 'should' much more often..
and, is my preposition right if i say "..has a similar meaning *as* .." ???

thank you very much for helping me
greets
_________________
Don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened!

MOKEY ROCKS!!!

[toe]

using www.thefreedictionary.com :

ought:
aux.v.
1. Used to indicate obligation or duty: You ought to work harder than that.
2. Used to indicate advisability or prudence: You ought to wear a raincoat.
3. Used to indicate desirability: You ought to have been there; it was great fun.
4. Used to indicate probability or likelihood: She ought to finish by next week.

i think "ought to" is perfectly interchangable with "should." each of these sentences could use "should" with no problem or change in meaning. no worries, stellara!

toe

[advoca]

Stellara, you asked about 'meant to.' Perhaps this will help.

You use 'meant to' when you want to say that something was intended to be.
My remarks were meant to be helpful. (This is the same as: My remarks were intended to be helpful, or My remarks were supposed to be helpful)

You can use 'meant to' when you want to say that you intended to do a particular thing, (especially when they have failed to do it.)
I meant to write to you, but I have been busy. (This is the same thing as: I intended to write to you, but I have been busy, or I was supposed to write to you but I have been busy.)

I can't say any more; it's meant to be a big secret. (This is the same as: I can't say any more; it's supposed to be a big secret.)[i][/i]

[stellara]

thank you two!!

so 'meant to' , 'supposed to' and 'intended to' is mostly interchangeable?! that's cool

and i have the feeling that 'should' is more often used than 'ought to', is this so?

thank you very much!!!
greets
_________________
Don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened!

MOKEY ROCKS!!!