ought not be

USAGE SUMMARY

"ought not be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a statement about something that should not be done. For example, "Littering ought not be allowed in public spaces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This ought not be surprising.

Independent

But the hope ought not be alien.

The New Yorker

"Political parties ought not be independent of their candidates".

The New York Times

It isn't local, but it ought not be ignored.

The New York Times

They ought not be purged for not being pure enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

We ought not be claiming we are above the law.

The Guardian

"I'm sad, it ought not be," Mr. Dinkins said.

The New York Times

The quantity of shops ought not be considered.

The Guardian - Opinion

We ought not be mealy-mouthed about the dangers.

The Guardian

Such reduction of the sentence, however, normally ought not be made by this Court.

Cornell University

THE PRESIDENT: Such statements ought not be made by counsel until they have verified them.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought not be" in formal writing or when a tone of moral or ethical obligation is desired. It conveys a sense of strong advisability against a particular action or state.

Common error

Avoid using "ought not be" in informal contexts where alternatives like "shouldn't be" or "isn't supposed to be" are more appropriate. Stick to formal settings to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ought not be" is to express a prohibition or strong advisability against something. It is a modal construction indicating that something is undesirable or inappropriate, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought not be" is a modal verb phrase used to express that something is not advisable or should not occur, often carrying a strong sense of moral or ethical obligation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in formal contexts like news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "should not be" exist, "ought not be" maintains a more formal tone. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations requiring a clear expression of advisability against a specific action. Overall, it is a useful tool for precise and authoritative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not be

A more common and slightly less formal alternative.

must not be

Stronger expression of prohibition or necessity.

need not be

Indicates lack of necessity.

should never be

Emphasizes prohibition with a sense of permanence.

is not supposed to be

More informal and conversational alternative.

is not allowed to be

Emphasizes prohibition by authority.

is not meant to be

Suggests a lack of intention or suitability.

is not designed to be

Highlights a mismatch in purpose or intention.

is not intended to be

Focuses on the original intent or purpose.

is not expected to be

Indicates a deviation from what is normally anticipated.

FAQs

What does "ought not be" mean?

The phrase "ought not be" expresses that something is inadvisable or should not occur. It is a more formal way of saying "should not be".

When should I use "ought not be" instead of "should not be"?

Use "ought not be" in formal contexts or when you want to convey a stronger sense of moral obligation. "Should not be" is more common in everyday speech and writing.

What are some alternatives to "ought not be"?

Alternatives include "must not be", "need not be", or "should never be", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "ought not to be" correct, or is it always "ought not be"?

"Ought not to be" is also correct, but "ought not be" is often used in more formal or legalistic writing. Both forms are grammatically acceptable, though the version without 'to' is more common in older texts and formal contexts.