ought not to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought not to exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a moral or philosophical stance that something should not be present or should not occur. Example: "In a just society, inequality ought not to exist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Many Westerners seem to ignore these clearly expressed "irrational" preferences, because in a sensible world they ought not to exist.

The New York Times

A good chunk of the series is filmed on or near this route and the landscape is startling, as if it ought not to exist outside a child's imagination.

The New York Times - Travel

It suggests that these movies really ought not to exist at all, but if they must exist, let them feature gorgeous young women primed to appeal to male filmgoers' base instincts.

The Guardian - Film

… It adds a quiver to our rhetorical defense against some of those who believe that public pension plans ought not to exist".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The point is rather that whether there are mereological (or ordinary) objects ought not to be prejudged by stipulating they exist within some framework nor can it be resolved satisfactorily by this means.

SEP

Expectations existed that no rigid time constraints be placed upon students by learning activities; students' time ought not to be obstructed for any reason, particularly demands to participate in synchronous online communication, assessment completion, or exam preparation.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought not to exist" to express a strong moral or philosophical opposition to something's presence or occurrence. Ensure the context clearly conveys the reason for this opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "ought not to exist" when a weaker expression of preference is sufficient. "Ought" carries a strong implication of moral or philosophical necessity, so ensure the situation warrants such forcefulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought not to exist" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong normative judgment. According to Ludwig, it indicates a belief that something should not be present due to moral or philosophical reasons. It suggests a sense of disapproval or ethical objection to something's existence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought not to exist" is a grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express a strong moral or philosophical objection to something's existence. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a belief that something should not be present due to fundamental reasons. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, reflecting a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "should not exist" and "must not exist", offering varying degrees of formality and emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the strong normative judgment it implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Should not exist

Replaces "ought" with "should", making it slightly less formal.

Must not exist

Uses "must" for a stronger sense of prohibition or necessity.

Is not supposed to exist

Emphasizes expectation or regulation against existing.

Has no right to exist

Adds a moral or ethical dimension to the non-existence.

Should be abolished

Suggests a need for active removal or termination.

Is unacceptable

Focuses on the unacceptability of the existence.

Is untenable

Highlights the unsustainable or indefensible nature of existing.

Is undesirable

Emphasizes the lack of desirability for something to exist.

Is illegitimate

Expresses that something is not in accordance with the law.

Is not permissible

Focuses on the impermissibility for something to exist.

FAQs

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

Use "ought not to exist" to express a belief that something should not be present. For example, "In a just society, inequality "ought not to exist"."

What's a less formal way to say "ought not to exist"?

You can use alternatives like "should not exist" or "is not supposed to exist" depending on the context.

Is "ought not to exist" the same as "does not exist"?

No, ""ought not to exist"" implies a moral or philosophical judgment about something that may or may not exist, while "does not exist" is a statement of fact.

What does it mean when someone says something "ought not to exist"?

It means they believe that thing is fundamentally wrong or undesirable and should not be present, even if it currently does exist. The phrasing suggests a strong disapproval or ethical objection.