Should, Ought to, Had better and Be supposed to

 Should and Ought to

We use should and ought to to say what is the best thing or the right thing to do. There is no difference in meaning

• You ought to / should drive more carefully than you do.
• Doctors says that everybody should / ought to see a doctor at least once in six months.
• It is very cold outside, you should / ought to close the window.
• You should call your mother more often.

Had better

We use had better to say what is the best thing to do in a situation.

• We had better stop at the next gas station or we will run out of gas.
• You had better get a taxi or you will miss the flight.
• You had better not stay up late. You have an important exam tomorrow.
• You’d better wear a coat. It’s cold outside.

Be supposed to

We use be supposed to when we are talking about the normal or correct way of doing things.

• You are supposed to make a copy of the contract before you mail it.
• Catholics are supposed to go to church on Sundays.
•  Latin America is supposed to be a pretty inexpensive place to travel.
• This restaurant is supposed to make excellent salads.
• Your child isn’t supposed to eat too many cookies.
• ·We can use was/were supposed to for the past.

We can use was/were supposed to for the past.

• Lucy was supposed to come to lunch. What’s happened?
• Cats are supposed to be afraid of dogs, but ours isn’t.
• I was supposed to study for my exam.