Question

The sum is still outstanding and you ought to paid it last week. A. you ought to B. you must have C. you should to have D. you ought to have E. you should to

Short answer

The correct answer is D: 'you ought to have'.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Correct Auxiliary Verb

Analyze the options to identify the auxiliary verb 'ought to' which expresses a past obligation that wasn't met. Note that 'ought to' should be followed by 'have' when referring to past actions.

Check the Structure for Past Appearance

Since the action relates to a past obligation ('you ought to have paid it last week'), ensure that the verb phrase correctly reflects the past context.

Eliminate Incorrect Options

Options A, C, and E are incorrect because they do not properly express the past action of an unfulfilled obligation. Option B is also incorrect because 'must have' implies certainty about a past event, not an obligation.

Confirm the Correct Answer

The correct answer is D. 'You ought to have paid it last week' which accurately shows the past obligation.

Key concepts

Grammar Rules

Understanding grammar rules is essential for mastering GMAT sentence correction questions. One must pay close attention to the correct usage of verbs, auxiliary verbs, and tenses. In the exercise, the phrase 'ought to paid' is incorrect because, according to grammar rules, 'ought to' must be followed by a base verb form in past obligations, such as 'ought to have paid'. Skipping this step leads to grammatical errors, which are easy to avoid with proper knowledge of these rules.

Past Obligation

Expressing past obligation correctly is key when answering GMAT sentence correction questions. In the exercise, 'ought to have paid' indicates a missed obligation from the past. This can be confusing because it combines the auxiliary 'ought to' with the perfect infinitive 'have paid'. Understanding this structure helps us recognize that the obligation was supposed to be fulfilled in the past but was not. Other incorrect forms, such as 'must have' or 'should to have,' either misrepresent the time frame or imply incorrect certainty about the action.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, modify the meaning of the main verb. In the given exercise, options like 'must have' and 'should to have' misuse auxiliary verbs in terms of expressing past obligation. 'Ought to' correctly indicates a sense of duty or obligation, and when coupled with 'have,' it refers specifically to a past expectation that was unfulfilled. Thus, the correct form 'ought to have paid' adheres to the rules for using auxiliary verbs to convey past obligations.

Sentence Structure

Analyzing sentence structure is crucial when correcting sentences for GMAT. The proper structure enhances clarity and accuracy. In the exercise, the incorrect structure 'ought to paid' fails to convey the intended past obligation. Sentence structure affects the meaning: 'ought to' should be paired with 'have' followed by the base form of the verb to correctly form a past obligation phrase. Identifying and understanding these structural issues helps improve accuracy in sentence correction questions.