it ought to be better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it ought to be better" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or expectation for improvement in a situation or object. Example: "The service at the restaurant was disappointing; it ought to be better given the high prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The formula is a pretty crude tool, but it ought to be better than nothing.

The New York Times

Quite how a journalist on assignment for London's Sunday Times thought that strong-arm tactics would allow access to an elusive subject's sickbed is one of the various mysteries of a play that spends enough time debating strategies of writing that it ought to be better written itself.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The author Victoria Glendinning, a friend for more than 25 years, says of his work, "It really ought to be better known.

The Guardian - Books

"We're at a position where it feels as though things ought to be better.

The New York Times

Trump ripped the scabs off the wounds of American racism that the civil rights movement had worked to heal". It does seem that we ought to be better off seeing clearly the racism in America rather than pretending as so many people did when arguing that Obama's election showed that we were post-racial that it's a thing of the post-racial that

University of Chicago

He ought to be better off for it, and so too the Dodgers, without the constant backdrop of when Friedman might bring in his own guy.

Los Angeles Times

The above citations make it clear that when the aim is on air pollution forecasting, any forecast model ought to be better than the pure persistence forecast (i.e. forecasting for tomorrow what occurred today).

Environmental Systems Research

The DRS evidently needs work and there ought to be better guidance for off-field officials about how to use it.

Independent

So yes, our retirement savings vehicles ought to be better.

The New York Times

Religious broadcasting, all broadcasting, ought to be better than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hrabal is well known, but he ought to be better known.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it ought to be better" when you want to express a reasoned expectation or a moral imperative for improvement. This phrase is suitable when you believe something should improve based on certain standards or conditions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using "ought to" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "should" or "needs to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it ought to be better" functions as a modal expression indicating expectation or desirability. It suggests that a situation or object does not meet a certain standard and improvement is warranted. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it ought to be better" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey an expectation or desire for improvement. According to Ludwig, its correctness is confirmed. Its usage spans various contexts, with a noticeable presence in news, media, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality level, opting for more casual alternatives in informal settings. Consider options such as "it should be better" or "it needs to be better" for a more relaxed tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should be better

Uses "should" instead of "ought to", making it slightly less formal and more common in everyday language.

it needs to be better

Emphasizes the necessity for improvement, implying a problem that requires fixing.

it has to be better

Similar to "needs to be better" but conveys a stronger sense of obligation or requirement.

it could be better

Suggests the potential for improvement without necessarily implying a current deficiency.

it would be better

Expresses a preference for improvement, often in a hypothetical or conditional context.

it is expected to be better

Highlights an anticipated improvement based on external factors or predictions.

it is supposed to be better

Implies that there is an understanding or agreement that improvement is expected.

there is room for improvement

Focuses on the possibility of improvement rather than stating it directly.

it warrants improvement

Indicates that the subject deserves or requires improvement.

it leaves something to be desired

A more indirect way of saying that something is not as good as it could be.

FAQs

What does "it ought to be better" mean?

It expresses an expectation or a desire for something to improve, suggesting that it should be in a superior state than it currently is.

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

You can use it to express disappointment or hope for improvement, such as, "The service was slow; "it ought to be better" considering the prices."

What's a more casual alternative to "it ought to be better"?

Alternatives like "it should be better" or "it needs to be better" are less formal and more suitable for everyday conversation.

Is there a difference between "it should be better" and "it ought to be better"?

"It ought to be better" carries a slightly stronger sense of obligation or moral imperative compared to "it should be better", which is more of a general expectation.