Picking the Right Verb: Ought vs. Should in Parent-Child Relationships
When discussing the relationship between parents and children, it's important to choose the right verb to convey the appropriate tone and level of obligation. Two commonly used verbs in this context are ought and should. Let's explore the nuances of these verbs and when to use each one.
Understanding Ought and Should
Ought is a verb that implies a recommendation or a moral obligation. It suggests that something is morally right or ought to be done. On the other hand, should expresses a recommendation, often with a slightly weaker moral obligation. In most contexts, either verb can be used, and the choice depends on the specific tone and level of obligation you wish to convey.
Contextual Examples
Consider the statement:
We ought to obey our parents as they are still people and still make mistakes.
In this example, ought is used to express a recommendation and a moral obligation to respect our parents despite their imperfections. However, if you are 100% sure you are correct in your choice but are still older than your parents, the use of should might be more appropriate:
We should obey our parents as they are still people and still make mistakes.
Should in this context conveys a stronger sense of advice, but with a less stringent moral obligation compared to ought.
Advice and Moral Duty
In discussing moral obligations and advice, should is often more common. For instance, when giving advice to a child, the sentence might read:
Whereas ought might imply a more direct moral duty, such as “You ought to listen to your parents,” should is more commonly used to express advice, like “You should listen to your parents’ advice.”
The first example is a clear case of a recommendation based on moral duty, while the second is a piece of general advice. Keep in mind that the choice depends on the specific context and the relationship you are describing.
Subjunctive Mood: A Less Common Use
When it comes to the subjunctive mood, both ought and should follow the same grammatical structure: verb to base form of the verb (e.g., be, see, do). However, the subjunctive mood is less commonly used in modern English, especially in informal contexts.
For example, consider the following statement:
If parents are kind to their children, their relationship will become consolidated.
While this sentence is grammatically correct, the phrase become consolidated sounds awkward. A more natural and contemporary way to phrase this might be:
Kind parents happy kids.
This simpler formulation resonates more with current language and emphasizes the positive outcome of kindness in a straightforward manner.
Conclusion
Picking the right verb, either ought or should, can significantly influence the tone and message of your writing. Whether you are conveying a moral obligation or a piece of advice, choose your verb wisely to ensure your message is clear and effective.