ought

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ought' is correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning "should" or "must," or as a noun meaning "what one should do." For example: We ought to leave early if we want to make it to the meeting on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Jones's response was that they ought to lobby for more federal support).

The Economist

I don't like to spread panic unless I absolutely have to, but looking at Gove's pop-up initiatives, I think we ought be keeping our eye on the bubbles.

The Guardian

According to the sculptor, Blind Light, as the installation was called, undermined what architecture ought to do: "Architecture is supposed to be the location of security and certainty about where you are.

The Guardian - Arts

He said: "Some are saying we ought to proceed with the case... some are saying we must push through and get a date".

The Guardian

Towards the end, she said to Dick that he should remarry, and he ought to think about marrying me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We think it ought to be public policy debate," he said.

The Guardian

More precisely, I don't think email ought to die completely.

The Guardian - Tech

"A big decision on a matter such as this, it ought to be owned by the parliament and not by any particular party.

The Guardian

Those complaints are admissions that the state is, or ought to be, all of us working collectively for the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

The recent attack on Unite (Editorial, 15 December) ought to be beneath your paper.

The Guardian

"[It] ought to be encouraged to be more publicly visible both in terms of encouraging people to use it and, where meaningful claims have been made, to actually publicise those findings," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought", ensure the following verb is in the infinitive form with "to" (e.g., "You ought to study").

Common error

Avoid omitting "to" after "ought" when it's used as a modal verb. Saying "You ought go" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "You ought to go".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ought" is that of a modal verb, expressing obligation, advisability, or expectation. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its common usage. Examples from Ludwig show its use in expressing what should be done or what is likely to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "ought" functions as a modal verb expressing obligation, advisability, or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While often interchangeable with "should", "ought" tends to carry a slightly more formal tone and a stronger sense of moral duty. Remember to always use "to" after "ought" when it functions as a modal verb (e.g., "You ought to go"). Understanding these nuances will ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should

A more common and generally interchangeable alternative, often used in similar contexts to express obligation or recommendation.

must

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

need to

Emphasizes necessity, often in a more practical or immediate sense.

have to

Suggests an external obligation or requirement.

had better

Implies a warning or negative consequence if the action is not taken.

it is advisable to

A more formal way of expressing a recommendation or suggestion.

it is recommended that

Offers a more official or authoritative suggestion.

it would be wise to

Highlights the prudence or wisdom of taking a particular action.

be supposed to

Indicates an expectation or obligation, often based on an agreement or arrangement.

it is your duty to

Emphasizes a moral or ethical obligation.

FAQs

How do you use "ought" in a sentence?

"Ought" is used to express obligation or advisability, similar to "should". For example, "You ought to apologize" means you should apologize. Remember to follow "ought" with "to" and the base form of the verb.

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

While often interchangeable, "ought" carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or duty than "should". "Ought" is also somewhat more formal.

Is it correct to say "ought to of"?

No, "ought to of" is incorrect. The correct form is "ought to have", which is used to express something that should have been done in the past. For example, "You ought to have called".

What are some alternatives to using "ought"?

Alternatives to "ought" include "should", "must", "need to", or "have to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each expresses a slightly different level of obligation or necessity.