he ought to go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he ought to go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or obligation for someone to leave or attend a particular place or event. Example: "Given the circumstances, he ought to go to the meeting to represent our interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He ought to go further.

The New Yorker

He ought to go in a dignified way".

Independent

Well, I would say that he ought to go look in the mirror, I guess.

The New York Times

"As a general proposition, we think he ought to go," he said.

The New York Times

"If he comes back, he ought to go to prison to reflect on what he did," Mr. Duval said.

The New York Times

The professor leaves soon after, and catches up with the sailor, and tells him that he ought to go back, and says she had asked him to.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Or they ought to go to the ballgame.

The New York Times

In 1926 he zeroed in on Terry's great-nephew, a "conscientious" newcomer who he predicted "ought to go far".

The New York Times - Arts

"Any questions as to why the president did what he did ought to go to the White House".

Huffington Post

I told him I didn't think it was good for him or any 24-year-old to stay at home and just hang around, that he really ought to go back to work or find another job.

BMC Health Services Research

And he simply could not wait to lead, he said, to take the country where he felt it ought to go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for alternatives like "he should go" or "he needs to go" in less formal contexts. These options are more commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he ought to go" in very informal settings or when speaking to close friends, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Instead, choose a more relaxed alternative like "he's gotta go" or "he needs to go."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he ought to go" functions as a modal expression indicating advice or moral obligation. It suggests that someone should or needs to take a certain action, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he ought to go" is a grammatically sound construction used to express a recommendation or moral obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common, it leans towards formality, making it more suitable for news reporting and formal discussions than casual conversations. Alternatives like "he should go" or "he needs to go" may be preferable in informal settings. Usage patterns show it appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its neutral-to-formal tone and wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he should go

Uses a more common modal verb, "should", making it slightly less formal.

he needs to go

Indicates a necessity for him to leave or attend.

he has to go

Similar to "needs to go" but may imply a stronger obligation.

he must go

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

it is imperative that he goes

More formal and emphasizes the urgency or importance of his departure or attendance.

it is essential for him to go

Highlights the necessity of his action.

he is required to go

Suggests a formal requirement or rule.

he is supposed to go

Implies an expectation or plan for him to depart or attend.

he is expected to go

Focuses on the expectation from others.

it would be best if he went

Suggests a recommendation rather than a strict obligation, and adds a layer of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "he ought to go" in a sentence?

You can use "he ought to go" to express a suggestion or obligation. For example, "Since he promised to help, "he ought to go"" indicates a moral duty.

What does "he ought to go" mean?

"He ought to go" means that it is advisable or morally right for him to depart, attend something, or take a specific action. It's similar to saying "he should go" but carries a slightly stronger sense of duty.

Which is correct, "he ought to go" or "he should of go"?

"He ought to go" is correct. "He should of go" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "he should have gone", which expresses a past obligation that was not fulfilled.

What's the difference between "he ought to go" and "he wants to go"?

"He ought to go" expresses a duty or recommendation, suggesting someone thinks it's the right thing to do. "He wants to go" simply expresses a desire or wish. The first phrase implies obligation, whereas the second implies volition.