/ˈɔ:t tə;before vowels and in final position ˈɔ:t tu: ||; ˈɔt tə; ˈɔt tu/modal verb (
negative ought not to short form oughtn't to /ˈɔ:tnt tə
||; ˈɔtṇt tə/
before vowels and in final position /ˈɔ:tnt tu:
||; ˈɔtṇt tu/)
1 used to say what sb should do 应该；应当: You ought to visit your parents more often. 你应该更经常去探望你的父母。She oughtn't to make private phone calls in work time. 她不应在上班时间打私人电话。He oughtn't to have been driving so fast. 他不该开车开得那么快。
2 used to say what should happen or what you expect （表示期望）: She ought to pass her test. 她应该可以考及格的。They ought to be here by now. They left at six. 他们现在应该到了，他们是六点钟出发的。There ought to be more buses in the rush hour. 上下班时间应该有更多的公共汽车。
3 used for asking for and giving advice about what to do （用于征求或提出建议）: You ought to read this book. It's really interesting. 你该看看这本书，真的很有趣。 ☞For more information about modal verbs, look at the Quick Grammar Reference section at the back of this dictionary. 有关情态动词的详细用法，参看本词典末“语法便览”部份。