ought not to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought not to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to convey that something is undesirable or wrong. For example: "I believe the government ought not to be so restrictive with its regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They ought not to be.

The Economist

That ought not to be impossible.

The Economist

That ought not to be too hard.

The Economist

His claim ought not to be ridiculous.

The Economist

This ought not to be surprising.

The Economist

That situation ought not to be stable.

The Economist

"YOUNG people ought not to be idle.

The Economist

It ought not to be.

The Guardian - Sport

"That ought not to be good enough".

The New York Times

It ought not to be far away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps anonymity ought not to be defended to every extreme.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought not to be" to express a sense of moral obligation or strong advisability, particularly when criticizing or expressing disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "ought not to be" in informal contexts where less formal alternatives like "shouldn't be" or "isn't supposed to be" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought not to be" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a sense of obligation, advisability, or expectation that something is undesirable or should not occur. As Ludwig AI indicates, this conveys that something is undesirable or wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought not to be" is a modal verb phrase used to express that something is undesirable, incorrect, or should not exist. It carries a sense of obligation or expectation. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in contexts where expressing disapproval or suggesting a better course of action is needed. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While "ought not to be" is generally more formal than alternatives like "shouldn't be", it remains a useful and versatile phrase for expressing moral judgments and strong advisability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shouldn't be

Expresses a similar sense of advisability but is more commonly used and slightly less formal.

should not be

A more formal and direct alternative to "shouldn't be", conveying a similar level of advisability.

must not be

Indicates a stronger prohibition or necessity, suggesting that something is strictly forbidden.

is not supposed to be

Indicates that something is against expectations or rules, often implying a sense of disapproval.

is not to be

A more formal way of expressing that something is not allowed or intended.

cannot be

Conveys impossibility or strong improbability, rather than advisability.

is inadvisable to be

Formally suggests that a particular course of action is not recommended.

it's best not to be

Suggests the optimal or preferred action while cautioning against an alternative.

had better not be

Carries a tone of warning or potential negative consequences if something occurs.

it would be better not to be

Offers a gentler suggestion against a certain action or state.

FAQs

What does "ought not to be" mean?

The phrase "ought not to be" expresses that something is undesirable, incorrect, or should not exist. It indicates a sense of obligation or expectation that something should be different.

How can I use "ought not to be" in a sentence?

You can use "ought not to be" to express disapproval or suggest a better course of action. For example, "This situation "shouldn't be" happening; it "ought not to be" tolerated."

What are some alternatives to "ought not to be"?

Alternatives to "ought not to be" include "shouldn't be", "must not be", or "is not supposed to be". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "ought not to be" formal?

Yes, "ought not to be" is generally more formal than alternatives like "shouldn't be". It is often used in writing and more formal speech.