Utter the Speech Reflexes below 4–5 times aloud. 

Guidelines to practice:

1. Hear all speech reflexes in general way
2. Pick speech reflexes and utter it aloud 4 to 5 times.
3. Use correct pronunciation of word
4. Use weak form while pronouncing function word.
5. Apply word linking technique
6. Apply rhythm exercise technique. (Applicable for advanced learners only)

Group 1:

I will be sending the parcel in a day or two.

I won’t be mending the fuse till you return.

We will be settling the accounts within a week.

We won’t be blaming you for it.

You will be answering his letter tomorrow, won’t you?

You won’t be buying your shoes today, will you?

He will be signing the agreement to one of these days.

He won’t be letting his house next year.

She will be thinking differently this time tomorrow.

She won’t be opening the e-mail till she gets well.

It will be growing big in a few weeks.

It won’t be working as smoothly as this forever.

They won’t be taking his threats seriously until he acts.

Note: Repeat the drill by substituting “would” for “will”, and “wouldn’t for “won’t”.

Group 2:

He can’t be looking after the baby now.

They can’t be demanding compensation for such a minor injury.

They can’t be leaving home in an hour.

She can’t be taking part in the competition.

It can’t be happening like that.

It can’t be doing their accounts this year.

Note: You can use this structure to express doubt or surprise.

Group 3:

They may be doing it just to upset you.

I may not be going for my holidays this year.

You may not be lying to me, (but…).

I may be making a fuss about nothing.

He may not be telling the truth.

It may be lying outside somewhere.

It may not be happening now.

They may not be looking for you.

Note: You can use the structure to express ‘possibility’ or ‘likelihood’.

Note repeat the drill by substituting “might” for “may”, and “might not” for “may not”..

Group 4:

I must be leaving now.

I must be getting back to work now.

Note: This structure helps you express your intention to do something. In this structure, you can also use ‘ought to’ in place of ‘must’.

Group 5:

He must be meeting her secretly.

You must be finding it difficult to deal with those people.

Note 1: This structure helps you suggest a probability or to say that something is likely or logical.

Note 2: You can also substitute ‘ought to be’ or ‘should be’ for ‘must be’.

Group 6:

We oughtn’t to be complaining about it now.

You oughtn’t to be quarreling now.

They ought to be painting their house before the rains come.

You oughtn’t to be losing your temper at the meeting.

We ought to be getting back now.

Note: You can use this structure to suggest that it’s a good idea to do or not to do something – or to give advice or opinion.

Note: Repeat the drill by substituting “should be” for “ought to be”, and “shouldn’t be” for “oughtn’t to be”.

Group 7:

I have been bathing the baby.

I haven’t been waiting for anybody.

We have been standing in this queue until half an hour back.

We haven’t been quarrelling.

You have been making a noise, haven’t you?

He has been reading the instructions all day.

He hasn’t been carrying the box.

It has been lying buried there.

It hasn’t been boiling for some time now.

They have been practicing the violin till now.

They haven’t been changing the tyre.

I had been showing her a photograph (before you come).

I hadn’t been drinking black coffee then.

We had been standing round the table (when the bail rang).

We hadn’t been going over the report promptly.

You had been cutting down the trees (till they asked you to stop).

Group 8:

I will have been working in this office for two years by next week.

We will have been playing for two hours by then.

You will have been looking for her for an hour by then.

He will have been living here for six years by this month end.

She will have been wearing that dress for a week by tomorrow

It will have been boiling for half an hour by then.

They will have been doing this job for a month by tomorrow.

Group 9:

I can’t have been dreaming about it.

We can’t have been lying awake.

You can’t have been lecturing for three hours without break.

She can’t have been putting the car away then.

Note: This structure helps you say that you’re sure something is not true.

Group 10:

I may have been brushing my coat then.

She may have been pouring out the tea then.

He may not have been looking that way.

You may have been accusing him of dishonesty.

You may not have been helping him with this work.

He may have been having a bath.

He may not have been behaving well.

She may have been travelling by car.

She may not have been speaking loudly.

It (=The salt) may have been dissolving little by little.

Note: This structure helps you express possibility.

Group 11:

We mustn’t have been keeping it a strict secret.

It mustn’t have been working smoothly.

They must have been visiting their ancestral home there.

He must have been working extra hours to finish that.

Note: You can use this structure to say that something is likely or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 12:

I ought to have been staying in bed.

I oughtn’t to have been pushing it out of the way.

We ought to have been keeping a look-out on the right.

We oughtn’t to have been going straight on.

You ought to have been doing your lesson then.

You ought to have been fixing the pipes yourself.

He oughtn’t to have been blaming the workers.

She oughtn’t to have been storing the boxes there.

They oughtn’t to have been setting off so early.

Note 1: You can also use “should have been” in place of “ought to have been”, and “shouldn’t have been” in place of “oughtn’t to have been”.

Note 2: This structure helps you suggest that something was the right thing for somebody to do, but that they didn’t do it.

Group 13:

I will be the villain in both the dramas.

I won’t be the hero in the play they are putting on.

We will be the winners this year.

We won’t be the champion this time.

He will be the treasure (for two years).

She won’t be the right person for the job.

He will be a nuisance.

He won’t be the right candidate.

She will be a failure in her personal life.

She won’t be our representative next year.

It will be your last chance.

It won’t be an easy job.

They will be our competitors.

They won’t be MPs any longer.

Note: Group 13 to 16 help you state what is going to happen or what is probably true or what is generally true or possible.

Group 14:

I will be nice to them.

I won't be angry.

We will be ready by then.

We won’t be wrong.

You will be safe there.

You won’t be interested in it.

He will be surprised.

He won’t be free tomorrow.

She will be ready.

She won’t be quite about it.

It will be dry by then.

It won’t be fresh.

They will be satisfied.

They won’t be silent about it.

Group 15:

I will be out (and not at home).

I won’t be there.

We will be somewhere else.

We won’t be around.

You will be away, (Will you?).

You won’t be upstairs (will you?).

He will be there now.

He won’t be here.

She will be downstairs.

She won’t be in.

It won’t be off.

They will be abroad then.

They won’t be home now.

Group 16:

I will be at the gate.

I won’t be at home.

We will be across the street.

We won’t be inside the tent.

You will be between them.

You won’t be against this, will you?

He will be with us by then.

He won’t be for all this.

She will be on duty tomorrow.

She won’t be on their side.

It will be for his son.

It won’t be before Monday.

They will be in trouble.

They won’t be in control then.

Group 17:

You can be frank with her.

We can’t be more generous than this.

She can be lenient with them if she wants to.

I can’t be found with them.

He can’t be tough with them.

Note: You can use this structure to say that you or somebody else is (or is not) free to or is (or is not) allowed to do something.

Group 18:

You can be an Impostor for all we know.

They can be policemen (but I am not sure).

Note: You can use the structure to express possibility or doubt.

Group 19:

I can be a tough person (if I want to).

I can’t be an artist any longer.

We can be a nuisance (if we want to).

We can’t be prompter than this.

Note: This structure helps you express ability or opportunity.

Group 20:

You can’t be the person who met me.

He can’t be her father.

It can’t be the packet they lost.

They can’t be musicians.

She can’t be as insincere as that.

He can’t be as helpless as all that.

It can’t be correct.

They can’t be happy there.

They can’t be serious about it.

We can’t be the ones they have in mind.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case – or to express doubt or surprise.

Group 21:

I can be nasty (if I want to).

We can be more generous, can’t we?

She can be very helpful to us if she wants to.

It (= A job like this) can be boring.

He can be cruel sometimes.

Note: This structure helps you say what somebody or something is like in some circumstances.

Group 22:

He can’t be abroad now,

She can’t be downstairs.

It can’t be here.

They can’t be there now.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case – or to express doubt or surprise.

Group 23:

I can’t be of any help to them.

We can’t be back to work till then.

Note: This structure helps you express ability or opportunity.

Group 24:

You can’t be at the mercy of those people.

She can’t be behind all these.

She can’t be in any trouble.

It can’t be against the law.

They can’t be from England.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case – or to express doubt or surprise.

Group 25:

She may be a spy.

She may not be a beginner.

It may be his ambition.

It may not be the only consequence.

They may be partners.

They may not be members there.

Note: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely, but you can’t be certain – or to say that something is true in some circumstances. In the structure, you can substitute ‘might be’, for ‘may be’, and ‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.

Group 26:

I may be a fool (, but…)

I may not be the best salesman (, but…)

We may be relative (, but…)

We may not be strangers (, but…)

You may be his classmate (, but…)

You may not be an expert (, but…)

He may be the manager (, but…)

He may not be the best among them (, but…)

Note: The structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point. argument, etc. that is in contrast with it.

Group 27:

She may be clever at this kind of work.

She may not be hopeful of getting it.

It may be too thin.

It may not be strong enough.

They may be disappointed about it.

Note: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely, but you can’t be certain – or to say that something is true in some circumstances.

Group 28:

I may be greedy for power (but…).

I may not be excited about it (but…).

We may be inexperienced (but…).

We may not be as brave as you (but…).

You may be bigger than him (but…).

You may not be astonished to hear it (but…).

He may be penniless (but…).

He may not be unkind to them (but…).

They may not be upset about it (but…).

Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, etc. that is in contrast with it.

Group 29:

She may be outside (playing with the children).

She may not be away.

It may be on.

It may not be off.

They may be upstairs now.

They may not be downstairs now.

Note: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely, but you can’t be certain – or to say that something is true in some circumstances.

Note: In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may be’ and ‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.

Group 30:

I may not be downstairs now (, but…).

You may be inside, but he may be abroad (, but…).

She may not be around (, but…).

Note: this structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point. argument, etc. that is in contrast with it.

Group 31:

He may be inside the house.

He may not be from the same village.

She may be away from there.

She may not be on duty.

It may be beyond their control.

They may be on leave today.

They may not be on holiday.

Note 1: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely, but you can’t be certain – or to say that something is true in some circumstances.

Note 2: In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may be’, and ‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.

Group 32:

I may be at fault (, but…).

I may not be on the list now (, but…).

We may be under no obligation to do it (, but…).

We may not be against the scheme (, but…).

You may be on his side (, but…).

you may not be in charge of the office (, but…).

Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, that is in contrast with it.

SPS 33:

I mustn’t be a burden to anyone.

We must be the winners next year.

We mustn’t be a bother to them.

He mustn’t be the treasurer (any longer).

It mustn’t be our responsibility.

They mustn’t be the mediators.

Note: This structure helps you say that it’s very important on necessary for something not to happen.

Group 34:

I must be the one they were talking about.

You must be Karan’s friend.

You mustn’t be a trouble to them.

You must be a trouble maker.

She must be the one who did it.

She mustn’t be his P.A. (from now on).

It must be her idea.

They must be a smart lot.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the case or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 35:

I must be bolder.

I mustn’t be soft towards them.

We must be well behaved.

We mustn’t be nervous.

You must be kind to them.

You mustn’t be so cruel.

He must be busy these days.

He mustn’t be so untidy.

She mustn’t be careless about it.

It mustn’t be obvious.

They mustn’t be anxious about it.

Note: This helps you to say that something is very important or necessary (sometimes because of a rule or law).

Group 36:

She must be devoted to him.

It must be useless.

They must be very energetic.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the case or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 37:

I must be outside now.

I mustn’t be downstairs now.

We mustn’t be there all the time.

You must be inside.

You mustn’t be outside.

You mustn’t be here.

She mustn’t be away.

It mustn’t be off.

They mustn’t be downstairs.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is very important or necessary (sometimes because of a rule or law).

SPS 38:

He must be in.

He must be around.

It must be on.

They must be upstairs.

Note: this structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the case or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 39:

I must be on my guard.

I mustn’t be at the end.

We must be outside the station.

We mustn’t be on the platform.

You mustn’t be out of the building.

She must be by the side of that building.

She mustn’t be in a foul temper like this all the time.

It mustn’t be in the middle.

They mustn’t be out of hearing.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is very important or necessary (sometimes because of rule or law.

Group 40:

He must be out of his mind.

She must be in love with him.

He mustn’t be in the wrong.

It must be out of kindness for him.

They must be out of breath.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the case or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 41:

I ought to be an example to them.

I oughtn’t to be miser like this.

We ought to be a source of strength to them.

We oughtn’t to be the ones to do this dirty work.

You oughtn’t to be the one to suffer for it.

He oughtn’t to be a half-hearted person.

She oughtn’t to be such a bore like this.

They oughtn’t to be such a taskmasters.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do – or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.

Group 42:

You ought to be the first person to do it.

It oughtn’t to be a run-of-the-mill kind of show.

It ought to be the last warning.

Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen or what you would like to happen.

Group 43:

She ought to be the leader of the group.

He ought to be a great comfort to those people.

They ought to be real professionals at their job.

Note: This structure helps you say what is probably the case.

Group 44:

I ought to be certain about it.

I oughtn’t to be furious at them.

We ought to be efficient at jobs like these.

We oughtn’t to be eager for results.

You oughtn’t to be unfaithful to your friends.

He oughtn’t to be impatient with children.

She ought to be gentle with them.

She oughtn’t to be ashamed of her background.

It ought to be sufficient for them.

It oughtn’t to be identical with this one.

They ought to be keen on their work.

They oughtn’t to be so slow at their work.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do or that It’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.

Group 45:

They ought to be answerable to the people who elect them.

He ought to be to reliable for this damage.

They ought to be responsible for this mess.

Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen – or what you would like to happen.

SPS 46:

He ought to be angry – I haven’t replied to any of his mails.

It (=That dress) ought to be expensive.

Note: This structure helps you say what is probably the case.

Group 47:

I ought to be there.

I oughtn’t to be here.

We ought to be inside.

We ought to be outside.

You ought to be in.

You oughtn’t to be out.

He ought to be upstairs.

He oughtn’t to be away.

She ought to be upstairs.

She oughtn’t to be downstairs.

It ought to be on

It oughtn’t to be off.

They ought to be away.

They oughtn’t to be together.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so you can use the structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.

Group 48:

I ought to be near them.

I oughtn’t to be at the back.

We oughtn’t to be at the bottom of the list.

You ought to be in bed.

You oughtn’t to be in control of the situation.

He ought to be in his room.

He oughtn’t to be in the wrong place.

It ought to be in his hand.

It oughtn’t to be in the first row.

They ought to be in front of the others.

They oughtn’t to be in charge of it.

Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.

Group 49:

We ought to be in a stronger position by then.

They ought to be for this proposal.

Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen – or what you would like to happen.

Group 50:

He ought to be at the airport by now.

She oughtn’t to be on the guest list – or she would have been here by now.

Note 1: This the structure helps you say what is probably the case.

Note 2: Repeat the word groups under SPS 40 to SPS 50 by substituting “should be” for “ought to be” and “shouldn’t be” for “oughtn’t to be”.

Group 51:

I have been a nuisance, haven’t I?

I haven’t been the favorite of my boss at any time.

We have been the butt of their jokes.

We haven’t been their customers for sometime now.

You have been a mild-mannered person (so far).

You haven’t been a hard-hearted person.

He has been a person with firm views (so far).

He hasn’t been a rival for the leadership.

She has been one of their supporters.

She hasn’t been a threat to their position.

It has been a shady area so far, but now they’re planning to cut down the trees.

It hasn’t been a thorough-going analysis.

They have been the cause of all these.

They haven’t been our employees since last January.

Group 52:

I have been uneasy about the situation.

I haven’t been lucky in all this so far.

We have been indifferent to their views.

We haven’t been generous with them.

You have been concerned about her, haven’t you?

You haven’t been patient with him.

He has been ignorant of all this.

He hasn’t been conscious of the smell.

She has been envious of everyone else.

She hasn’t been quick at coding.

It has been extremely useful to me.

It hasn’t been repaired in a long time.

They have been kind to us.

Group 53:

I have been away.

I haven’t been there.

We have been everywhere.

We haven’t been there.

You have been inside.

You haven’t been outside.

He has been away.

He hasn’t been out.

She has been downstairs.

She hasn’t been upstairs.

It has been on.

It hasn’t been off.

They have been here.

They haven’t been there.

Group 54:

I have been under a wrong impression.

I haven’t been in your way.

We have been behind the tree.

We haven’t been at the meeting.

You have been at the mercy of the bank. haven’t you?

You haven’t been at your best.

He has been in the army.

He hasn’t been at the order of anyone.

She has been in bad health.

She hasn’t been in town.

It has been out of order (so far).

It hasn’t been against the law.

They have been by his side (all day).

They haven’t been at war with us then.

Note: Repeat the word groups at Group 50 to Group 54 by substituting “had” for “have” and “has”.

Group 55:

I can’t have been the one they were looking for.

We can’t have been the people they were talking about.

You can’t have been the person I saw yesterday.

He can’t have been Deepak’s brother.

She can’t have been your sister.

It can’t have been Komals.

They can’t have been the same people.

Note: Group 55 to Group 57 help you say that you’re certain something is not true?

Group 56:

I can’t have been right about it.

We can’t have been wrong about him.

You can’t have been surprised at her behavior.

He can’t have been sorry about her.

She can’t have been proud of him.

It can’t have been different from that.

They can’t have been annoyed with you.

Group 57:

I can’t have been there.

We can’t have been here.

You can’t have been outside.

He can’t have been inside.

She can’t have been away.

It can’t have been upstairs.

They can’t have been downstairs.

Group 58:

I can’t have been at work then.

We can’t have been at dinner at the time.

You can’t have been by yourself.

He can’t have been in his right mind.

She can’t have been in good health.

It can’t have been to the right.

They can’t have been from London.

Note: Repeat the word groups under Group 54 to Group 57 by substituting “couldn’t” for “can’t”.

Group 59:

I may have been the person they asked for.

I may not have been the person he wanted.

We may have been the target of their criticism.

We may not have been an automatic choice.

You may have been a lazy person (, but…).

You may not have been a fully qualified professional then.

He may have been the inspiration for this work.

He may not have been a member of their party (, but…).

She may have been a timid girl (, but…).

She may not have been the one he was after.

It may have been an out-of-the-way-place.

It may not have been an ideal place (, but…).

They may have been experts at jobs of this kind.

Note: Group 59 to Group 62 will help you give a possible explanation for something or to accept the possibility that something was true.

Group 60:

I may have been rude to them (, but…).

I may not have been fit for that job (, but…).

We may have been a little careless.

We may have not have been worthy of it.

You may have been useful to him.

You may not have been aware of this (, but…).

He may have been doubtful about them.

He may not have been very eager for a chance.

She may have been guilty (, but…).

She may not have been interested in games.

It may have been inconsistent with his earlier version.

It may not have been suitable for their purpose.

They may have been impressed with you.

Group 61:

I may have been in.

I may not have been out.

We may have been inside.

We may not have been there.

You may have been outside.

You may not have been here.

He may have been upstairs.

He may not have been away.

She may have been downstairs.

She may not have been in.

It may have been somewhere,

It may not have been upstairs.

They may have been together.

They may not have been away.

Group 62:

I may have been out of town.

I may not have been in a good temper.

We may have been at her side.

We may not have been of any help to them.

You may have been at the office.

You may not have been in a hurry then.

He may have been against the proposal.

He may not have been in difficulties then.

She may have been at the window.

It may have been in his bedroom.

It may not have been at the bottom.

They may have been out of patience.

They may not have been at the hotel.

Note: Repeat the word groups under Group 59 to Group 62 by substituting “might” for “may”, and “might not” for “may not”.

Group 63:

I must have been a fool to think that it would be easy.

We must have been a sight to see then.

You must have been his secretary.

He must have been a pompous idiot.

She must have been a school teacher.

She must have been the first person in the line.

It must have been a life of pleasure.

They must have been a privileged group.

Note: Group 63 to Group 66 help you say that something is very likely to be the case or logical or probable – because of the available evidence.

Group 64:

You must have been crazy about her.

They must have been too lenient with him.

They must have been rude to them.

You must have been hopeless at it.

You must have been angry at her conduct.

He must have been fascinated with them.

He must have been absent from there.

She must have been interested in it.

She must have been pleased with them.

It must have been harmful to them.

It must have been contrary to what she said.

They must have been disgusted with her.

They must have been fortunate in these things.

Group 65:

I must have been upstairs.

I must have been away.

We must have been out.

We must have been in.

You must have been downstairs.

You must have been away.

He must have been here.

He must have been upstairs.

She must have been inside.

She must have been out.

It must have been In.

It must have been here.

They must have been there.

They must have been away.

Group 66:

I must have been in a bad temper.

I must have been under his influence then.

We must have been in the garden.

We must have been under their spell.

We must have been at Mr. Kapoor’s.

You must have been out of town then.

He must have been at the door.

She must have been at school.

She must have been in high spirits.

It must have been at the front.

It must have been at the top.

They must have been at the meeting.

Group 67:

We needn’t have been their guests.

You needn’t have been their candidate (this time).

It needn’t have been such an elaborate ceremony.

They needn’t have been the mediators.

Note: You can use Group 67 to Group 70 to say that it was not necessary or useful for somebody to have done something, although they did do it.

Group 68:

I needn’t have been so tough with them.

We needn’t have been mad with them.

You needn’t have been worried about her.

He needn’t have been furious with them.

She needn’t have been anxious about us.

It needn’t have been similar to those.

They needn’t have been so emotional about it.

Group 69:

I needn’t have been there.

We needn’t have been outside.

We needn’t have been upstairs.

He needn’t have been inside.

He needn’t have been downstairs.

It needn’t have been there.

They needn’t have been here.

Group 70:

I needn’t have been at the airport (to meet them).

We needn’t have been at that party.

You needn’t have been with them.

She needn’t have been in that dress.

He needn’t have been in that room then.

It needn’t have been in the middle.

They needn’t have been in the queue at that time.

Group 71:

I ought to have been the one to suffer for it.

You ought to have been the one to make the suggestion.

She oughtn’t to have been such a spendthrift.

It ought to have been a free show.

It oughtn’t to have been such a costly affair.

They ought to have been actors.

They oughtn’t to have been such an irresponsible lot.

Note: Group 71 to Group 74 help you say that something was the right thing to happen in the past, but that it didn’t actually happen. They also help you say that something was not the right thing to happen in the past, but that it did happen.

Group 72:

I ought to have been certain about that man.

I oughtn’t to have been mad with her.

We oughtn’t to have been intent on it.

You ought to have been independent of those people.

You oughtn’t to have been ahead of them.

He oughtn’t to have been jealous of those people.

It ought to have been clear to them.

They ought to have been considerate to him.

They oughtn’t to have been thoughtless like this.

Group 73:

I ought to have been away.

I oughtn’t to have been out.

We ought to have been in.

Group 74:

You ought to have been on the committee.

You oughtn’t to have been in their group.

I oughtn’t to have been in favour of it.

We ought to have been in business.

We oughtn’t to have been in such a situation.

He oughtn’t to have been in his pyjamas.

It oughtn’t to have been in that form.

He ought to have been in a better dress.

They ought to have been against the trend.

They oughtn’t to have been in such a strange place.

Group 75:

It ought to have been a nice party.

It (the campaign) ought to have been a huge success?

Note: Group 75 to Group 78 help you say that you expect something to have already happened.

Group 76:

The weather ought to have been quite pleasant there today.

The things he said ought to have been tactless.

Group 77:

He oughtn’t to have been out.

She ought to have been upstairs.

Group 78:

He ought to have been in the race.

She ought to have been on a diet.

Group 79:

I ought to have been the one to decide it.

You ought to have been their distributors.

We oughtn’t to have been their rivals.

You ought to have been the one responsible for the job.

He ought to have been your partners in this business.

He oughtn’t to have been your room-mate.

She oughtn’t to have been your wife.

Note: Group 79 to Group 82 help you say that you expected something to happen or to be the case, but that didn’t happen and was not the case.

Group 80:

We ought to have been skillful at this kind of job.

He ought to have been good at shorthand by this time.

It ought to have been evident to them.

Group 81:

You ought to have been upstairs.

They oughtn’t to have been in.

You oughtn’t to have been there.

He ought to have been here.

She oughtn’t to have been downstairs.

It ought to have been there.

It oughtn’t to have been here.

They ought to have been away.

Group 82:

You ought to have been on his side in this.

It ought to have been in the collection.

Note: Repeat the world groups under Group 71 to Group 82 by substituting “should have been” for “ought to have been”, and “shouldn’t have been” for “oughtn’t to have been”.