ought to be divided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be divided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or recommendation of dividing something into parts or sections. Example: "The budget ought to be divided into different categories to ensure proper allocation of funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During his beleaguered second term, Jefferson suggested that newspapers ought to be divided into four sections: Truths, Probabilities, Possibilities, and Lies.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I don't believe we ought to be honoring flags that divide us," he said.

The New York Times

Writer feels there ought to be a fairer way of dividing the money and that there should be a bit more.

The New Yorker

Rather than simply be read as celebrations of individual freedom, these novels ought to be understood as critiques of a divided Korea.

Huffington Post

The debate about who ought to be appointed to the position has divided the council along racial lines, with three black council members calling for the job to go to Laverne Mitchom, who is black, and two white members throwing their support behind Robert Chabot, who is white.

Vice

Since the possibility of meaningful collaboration is a relatively recent turn of events, there is yet to be perfect guidance about how collaboration that bridges cross-cultural and cross-situational divides ought to be done.

Ecological Processes

Second, the cost of cleanup ought to be shared across the rich-developing divide.

The New York Times

Many have raised questions about a connection between Beck's repeated denunciations of Tides and Williams' attempt to assassinate employees of the foundation....speaking out against the incitement to violence by powerful media outlets ought to be something that transcends the partisan divide.

Huffington Post

It ought to be.

Independent

"You ought to be.

The New Yorker

They ought to be.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be divided", ensure that the context clearly indicates the criteria or purpose for the division. For example, clarify what aspects or categories the subject should be divided into.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be divided" without specifying the basis for the division. Always clarify the categories or aspects that should be considered for a meaningful and logical division.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be divided" functions as a modal verb construction expressing advisability or necessity regarding the separation or partitioning of something. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where a division is considered appropriate or required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be divided" is a modal verb phrase used to express a recommendation or perceived necessity for separating something into distinct parts or categories. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. While the phrase is not overly common, analysis reveals it is used across various contexts, especially in news, media, and professional writing. It conveys a sense that a division is logical, necessary, or advisable for organizational, analytical, or functional reasons. Users should ensure clarity in their writing by specifying the criteria for the division when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be separated

Emphasizes a recommendation or obligation for separation.

ought to be classified

Focuses on proper class assignment.

needs to be partitioned

Highlights the requirement for partitioning something.

must be segmented

Implies a strong necessity for segmentation.

should be categorized

Highlights assigning an item to a category or class.

has to be classified

Focuses on the need for classification.

should be split up

Suggests a division into multiple parts.

needs to be broken down

Highlights the necessity of breaking something into smaller components.

must be compartmentalized

Indicates a strong need for compartmentalization.

needs to be allocated

Focuses on resource assignment.

FAQs

How can I use "ought to be divided" in a sentence?

Use "ought to be divided" to express a recommendation or necessity for separating something into distinct parts based on certain criteria. For example, "The project tasks ought to be divided among team members based on their skills."

What are some alternatives to "ought to be divided"?

You can use alternatives such as "should be separated", "needs to be partitioned", or "must be segmented" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct: "ought to be divided" or "should be divided"?

Both "ought to be divided" and "should be divided" are grammatically correct. "Ought to" carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or advisability compared to "should", but they are often used interchangeably.

What does "ought to be divided" imply?

"Ought to be divided" implies that there is a sensible or necessary reason to separate something into different parts or categories. This could be for organizational, analytical, or functional purposes.