Modal Perfect: Ought To Have (Formal Criticism) (C2)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

After ten years on the board, he better than to question a colleague's integrity in open session. (know)

Correct answer: ought to have known

"Ought to have + past participle" carries a formal criticism that fits "after ten years on the board" → "ought to have known".

The minutes are clear that the chair the contract without first consulting the trustees. (not sign)

Correct answer: ought not to have signed

Formal governance failure → negative formal criticism. Both the contracted "oughtn't to have signed" and the full "ought not to have signed" are accepted.

The local planning committee before such a substantial policy change was announced to the press. (be consult)

Correct answer: ought to have been consulted

Passive formal criticism → "ought to have been consulted". The agent (whoever should have consulted) is unstated, which is typical of institutional critique.

By that point in her career, the deputy minister exactly how damaging the leaked memo would be. (realise)

Correct answer: ought to have realised

Formal critique grounded in expected seniority → "ought to have realised". British spelling "realised" is the model; "realized" is also accepted.

Candidates their nomination papers by 17.00 on 15 March in order to qualify. (submit)

Correct answer: ought to have submitted

Procedural criticism aimed at a class of candidates who missed the deadline → "ought to have submitted".

The advisory committee the appointment public before the formal ratification vote. (not make)

Correct answer: ought not to have made

Procedural breach by a formal body → negative formal criticism. Both "oughtn't to have made" and "ought not to have made" are accepted.

As a matter of basic professional courtesy, the line manager HR of the resignation a week in advance. (inform)

Correct answer: ought to have informed

"As a matter of basic professional courtesy" sets up a formal-register critique → "ought to have informed".

Given the warning signals throughout April, senior management the supply-chain disruption in May. (anticipate)

Correct answer: ought to have anticipated

Foresight failure by a body that had clear warnings → "ought to have anticipated".

Any potential conflict of interest at the start of the discussion, not retrospectively in the corridor afterwards. (be disclose)

Correct answer: ought to have been disclosed

Passive critique of a governance lapse where the agent is deliberately unstated → "ought to have been disclosed".

The external auditors flagged the discrepancy in plain language. The CFO their preliminary report. (not ignore)

Correct answer: ought not to have ignored

Critique of a clear professional failure → negative formal "ought not to have ignored" or contracted "oughtn't to have ignored".

With a child visibly in distress in the corridor, the off-duty teacher far sooner than she did. (intervene)

Correct answer: ought to have intervened

Safeguarding failure by someone with a duty of care → formal critique "ought to have intervened".

A full risk assessment in the project documentation from the very outset, not added six months in. (be include)

Correct answer: ought to have been included

A missing formal step in project governance → passive "ought to have been included".

With hindsight, the chair the discussion to drift away from the agreed agenda for nearly forty minutes. (not permit)

Correct answer: ought not to have permitted

A specific chairing lapse being criticised in retrospect → negative formal "ought not to have permitted" or "oughtn't to have permitted".

Any senior partner reviewing the file such an obvious red flag at the very next partnership meeting. (raise)

Correct answer: ought to have raised

A duty of professional vigilance left unfulfilled → formal critique "ought to have raised".

The donor's specific instructions in the trust file at the time of the bequest, not pieced together years later. (be record)

Correct answer: ought to have been recorded

A formal record-keeping failure where the agent is generalised → passive "ought to have been recorded".

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.