ought to be built

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be built" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or obligation regarding the construction or establishment of something. Example: "The new community center ought to be built to provide a space for local events and activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Surely religion, like other language-games, ought to be built on reasons and justifications.

The Guardian - Opinion

I say this as someone who, despite all the environmental concerns, thinks the pipeline probably ought to be built.

The Economist

"We're not saying that our long-term recovery ought to be built on trying to increase consumer spending," Mr. Goolsbee said.

The New York Times

Britain: Hardly anyone thinks airport terminals ought to be built on the cheap — bad things happen when you do that — but even in the rarefied world of aviation-related public works, £4.3 billion ($8.7 billion) is a lot of money.

The New York Times

You can add this feature by downloading a little drag-and-drop program from www.apple.com/iphoto (where you can also download the program itself), but it really ought to be built in.

The New York Times - Tech

To her credit, Michaels lets this speech linger in our minds without attempting to disprove it; just as she never pretends there's a simple answer to the question of whether dams ought to be built, or temples and the ruins of cities reconstructed.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

(Smog as veil?) There are many ways to rationalize this practice: if buildings are going to be built, they ought to be good.

The New York Times - Arts

A key component of any scheme to be built in the future ought to be a demand on behalf of the community.

Unicef

If they can build one in Caracas, we ought to be able to build one in New York City.

Vice

Surely the nation ought to be able to build like that again?So argues Britain's coalition government, which wants a new high-speed railway line between London, Manchester and Leeds.

The Economist

"I think you ought to be able to build anywhere you want in these mountains, but don't expect taxpayer-financed firefighters to bail you out unless you take certain preventive steps," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be built" when expressing a reasoned opinion or recommendation, especially when emphasizing a moral or logical imperative. For example, "A stronger social safety net ought to be built to protect vulnerable populations."

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be built" interchangeably with "should be built" without considering the nuance. "Ought to" implies a stronger sense of duty or moral obligation than "should". Use "should" for general recommendations and "ought to" for actions considered morally right or logically necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be built" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or obligation regarding construction. It indicates that something should be built based on a sense of duty, logic, or moral imperative, similar to examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be built" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase that expresses a recommendation or obligation for construction. According to Ludwig, its usage, though not overly common, is well-established in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. It conveys a stronger sense of duty than "should be built", which is more of a general recommendation. When writing, it's important to be mindful of this distinction to accurately convey the intended meaning and emphasis. Understanding the subtle difference between "ought to" and "should" is key to using the phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be constructed

Replaces "ought to" with "should", indicating a recommendation rather than a moral obligation.

needs to be erected

Emphasizes the necessity of building something, often implying urgency or a critical need.

must be established

Highlights the mandatory aspect of setting up or founding something.

is advisable to construct

Offers a more formal suggestion, emphasizing the wisdom of building something.

is recommended to build

Indicates an official or expert suggestion to proceed with construction.

should be implemented

Shifts the focus to putting a plan or system into action, rather than physical construction.

is essential to erect

Stresses the critical importance of constructing something.

has to be constructed

Indicates a firm requirement or obligation to build something.

demands to be built

Suggests an urgent or compelling need for construction.

is required to be built

Emphasizes a formal or legal requirement for construction.

FAQs

How to use "ought to be built" in a sentence?

Use "ought to be built" to express a belief that something should be constructed or established because it is the right or logical thing to do. For example, "More affordable housing ought to be built in urban areas."

What can I say instead of "ought to be built"?

You can use alternatives like "should be constructed", "needs to be erected", or "must be established" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ought to be built" or "should be built"?

Both "ought to be built" and "should be built" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Ought to" suggests a stronger sense of moral duty or logical necessity, while "should" is a general recommendation. Therefore, the choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "ought to be built" and "ought to have been built"?

"Ought to be built" refers to something that should be constructed in the future or present, while "ought to have been built" refers to something that should have been constructed in the past but was not. For example, "A new bridge ought to be built" versus "A new bridge ought to have been built years ago".