I assume you mean the difference in semantics. (In terms of syntax, 'should' selects a bare infinitive verb as a complement whereas 'ought' selects the to-infinitive.) In the most common uses, should and ought are interchangeable, so in your examples, I would say they're synonymous. But there are a number of constructions where you can only use 'should', for example: It is regrettable that he should be unhappy. If he should be unhappy, apologize for me. How surprising it is that he should be unhappy. I sent my mother flowers lest she should think I had forgotten her. > On Jan 28, 2015, at 10:25 AM, Scott Woods <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Dear List, > > How would you explain the difference between "ought to" and "should"? > > You ought to study. You should study. You ought to go home. You should go home. We ought to exercise. We should exercise. > > Thanks, > > Scott Woods > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/