These are all right....but the last one always makes people laugh....why's that?
"You should do this, shouldn't you?"
"You could do this, couldn't you?"
"You would do this, wouldn't you?"
"You ought to do this, oughtn't you?"
2006-08-20 08:06:27 · 22 answers · asked by Turak 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Language is what people use. Oughtn't is n't in usage and hence is not in English. It is not a case where it is being used, although in the dictionary it is not yet adopted. If it evokes so much of fun and laughter and therefore becomes a popular expression, who knows some day, this will gain currency and a passage into the dictionary.
2006-08-20 23:16:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"You ought to do this, oughtn't you?"
Actually, I am not sure that this is correct...
In any case, I normally don't laugh when I hear people using poor English. Depending on who the person is I either ignore them or correct them (if they ask).
It's irritating.
2006-08-20 15:25:52 · answer #2 · answered by lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because most people just don't say "ought" or "oughtn't" nowadays.
2006-08-20 15:12:36 · answer #3 · answered by smartee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Oughtn't is technically right, but it's not really used anymore. It's like hearing someone call a butler a "manservant."
2006-08-21 15:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because it is a bit archaic and seldom heard in speech these days, but many people don't speak with grammatical accuracy any more and settle for easier phrases and slang. Language and it's usage is constantly evolving as our Cultures evolve and meld in to new variations. Many people get the giggles listening to Shakspeare.
2006-08-20 16:07:19 · answer #5 · answered by Pundit Bandit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WTF? "oughtn't" is a word??
It's probably because many people (including myself) rarely if ever use "oughtn't" since there are so many more basic substitutes that could fit into it's place while still sounding verbally correct.
2006-08-20 15:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by I want my *old* MTV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last one is not in common usage and a bit difficult to understand, besides being a tounge twister as well.
2006-08-20 15:37:15 · answer #7 · answered by A B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you ought to be right, oughtn't you
2006-08-20 15:12:33 · answer #8 · answered by Manish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may say wouln't you? in the place.
Like I am a girl, aren' I?
No one says amn' I?
Similarly, in place of ought you may use wouldn't you?
2006-08-21 03:39:54 · answer #9 · answered by dinu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oughtn't is too tough on tongue
2006-08-21 00:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by Eco-Savvy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋