Ought to be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"Ought to be doing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a recommendation or obligation regarding an action that should be taking place. Example: "You ought to be doing your homework right now." Alternative expressions include "should be doing" and "must be doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We ought to be doing more together.

The New York Times

"We ought to be doing that.

The Guardian - Tech

We ought to be doing likewise in Calais.

The New Yorker

Isn't resting precisely what the weary ought to be doing?

Harvard Business Review

After all, what if we ought to be doing it?

The Guardian

That is not what a judge ought to be doing".

The New York Times

This is what artists ought to be doing.

The Guardian - Arts

We ought to be doing it with broadband".

The Guardian - Tech

So here is what you ought to be doing right now in Montenegro.

The Economist

This is an area where the state ought to be doing more.

The New York Times

Here is what you ought to be doing right now in Central Asia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be doing" when you want to express a moral obligation or a strong recommendation about an ongoing action.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be doing" to refer to past actions. For past obligations, use "ought to have done" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be doing" functions as a modal construction expressing obligation or advisability regarding an ongoing action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to be doing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to express obligation, recommendation, or expectation regarding an ongoing action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While similar to "should be doing", it carries a stronger sense of moral duty. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects a present or continuous action and is not mistakenly used for past obligations, for which "ought to have done" is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be doing

Expresses a weaker obligation or recommendation.

must be doing

Indicates a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

need to be doing

Highlights a requirement or necessity for action.

have to be doing

Suggests an external obligation or requirement.

are supposed to be doing

Implies an expectation or agreement to perform an action.

are expected to be doing

Focuses on the anticipation or expectation of an action.

are advised to be doing

Highlights that this phrase is only used when providing or taking an advice.

would be better off doing

Suggests a more desirable or advantageous course of action.

it would be advisable to be doing

Indicates a formal recommendation or suggestion.

it is recommended to be doing

Presents a formal suggestion, recommendation or advice.

FAQs

How can I use "ought to be doing" in a sentence?

Use "ought to be doing" to express an ongoing obligation or expectation. For example, "You "ought to be doing" your homework now".

What's the difference between "should be doing" and "ought to be doing"?

"Ought to be doing" expresses a stronger moral obligation than "should be doing", which is more of a general recommendation.

What are some alternatives to "ought to be doing"?

Alternatives include "must be doing", "need to be doing", or "have to be doing", depending on the strength of the obligation.

Is "ought to be doing" formal or informal?

"Ought to be doing" is generally considered more formal than "should be doing" but is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.