measures ought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measures ought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or appropriateness of certain actions or policies that should be taken. Example: "In light of the recent events, the government measures ought to be revised to ensure public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The National Grid, which manages Britain's electricity transmission network, is considering both options.Such measures ought to keep the juice flowing.

The Economist

He said measures ought to include restrictions on trade finance, asset freezing and action against banks holding funds for the regime in Tehran.

The Guardian

Of course, similar measures ought to be included in all bilateral and regional trade agreements, such as the Transpacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership now under negotiation.

The Guardian

The Lebanese ambassador, Nawaf Salam, told reporters: "Measures ought to be taken to stop the violence, to put an end to the situation in Libya, to protect the civilians there".

The Guardian - Opinion

Such measures ought to attract more attention on Madison Avenue, Christine Fruechte, president and chief executive at Colle & McVoy, an agency owned by MDC Partners, said during an Advertising Week panel on Monday.

The New York Times

Proponents of performance profiling stress that such measures ought to be used to screen athletes, not discipline them.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

As stated in the definition of F, the measure ought to be necessarily noisy in the first few minutes when NICD is still potentially being produced.

eLife

Although the proposed objective health measure ought to be tested, we nonetheless believe that it has a role in highlighting the main problem detected in our population, i.e., overrating.

BMC Geriatrics

And it isn't as though I'm suggesting there are no relevant external measures we ought to take when men and women work together one on one.

Huffington Post

I want to refer briefly to three essential measures which ought to be taken in Nairobi in the days ahead.

EU Parlament

A far reaching communication and social mobilisation campaign aimed at informing the population across the country of the existing epidemic outbreak and the measures they ought to take to prevent becoming ill, is underway.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "ought" with "should" for a less formal tone, or with "must" for a stronger sense of obligation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought" can sound overly formal or archaic in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider using alternatives like "should" or "need to" for a more natural tone. For example, instead of "We "measures ought" to leave now", you could say "We should leave now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measures ought" functions as a way to express recommendations or necessities. According to Ludwig, it correctly suggests that certain actions or policies are advisable or morally right. It usually introduces a clause stating what actions should be taken.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "measures ought" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, primarily employed to express recommendations or necessities with a sense of advisability or moral obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reporting, scientific discussions, and business communications. While acceptable, consider replacing it with alternatives like "measures should" or "measures must" depending on the desired tone and level of emphasis. The use of "ought" adds a layer of formality, so be mindful of the context in which it is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

measures should

Replaces "ought" with the more common and less formal "should".

measures must

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or necessity than "ought".

measures are required

Emphasizes the requirement or necessity of the actions.

steps need to be taken

Shifts focus from specific measures to the general necessity of action.

actions should be implemented

Focuses on implementation, implying a plan is already in place.

it is advisable to take measures

Introduces a sense of recommendation and prudence.

measures are recommended

Suggests a formal recommendation for specific actions.

it is essential to take steps

Highlights the essential nature of taking action.

measures are crucial

Emphasizes the critical importance of specific actions.

steps are imperative

Implies a strong and urgent need for action.

FAQs

How can I use "measures ought" in a sentence?

Use "measures ought" to express that certain actions are advisable or necessary. For example, "To improve public health, certain "measures should" be implemented promptly".

What are some alternatives to "measures ought"?

You can use alternatives such as ""measures should"", "measures must", or "steps need to be taken" depending on the context.

Is "measures ought" formal or informal?

"Measures ought" leans towards the more formal side. In informal contexts, consider using ""measures should"" as a less stilted alternative.

What's the difference between "measures ought" and "measures should"?

While both express advisability, "measures ought" is generally considered more formal and carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation than ""measures should"".