ought to be done

USAGE SUMMARY

"ought to be done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a way to express an obligation or a recommendation. Example: We ought to be done with this project by the end of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Something ought to be done about that.

The Economist

Something ought to be done about it.

The New Yorker

Something ought to be done.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps this ought to be done.

The New York Times

Sergeant Donegan agreed that more testing ought to be done.

The New York Times

Only injunctive statements can state what ought to be done.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We don't believe it ought to be done anywhere and everywhere," he said.

The New York Times

In matters concerning what ought to be done, Prabhakara therefore regarded only the Vedas as authoritative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She gave us all the courage to do what we all believed ought to be done.

The Guardian

Prabhakara understood by apurva only the action that ought to be done.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"And we have a big difference of opinion about what ought to be done".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be done" when expressing a moral obligation or a generally accepted course of action. It implies a weaker sense of necessity compared to "must" or "has to".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to be done" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "should be done" or "needs to be done" in informal settings for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be done" functions as a modal verb construction indicating obligation, advisability, or a generally accepted course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a sense of what is morally right or advisable to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be done" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey obligation or advisability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and usable phrase in English. While versatile, it leans toward neutral to formal contexts, commonly appearing in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Consider the subtle differences in formality and strength of obligation when choosing between "ought to be done" and alternatives like "should be done" or "must be done" to ensure the best fit for your intended meaning and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be done

Replaces "ought to" with the more common "should", indicating a slightly weaker obligation.

needs to be done

Emphasizes the necessity of the action, implying it is required.

must be done

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation and requirement than "ought to".

has to be done

Similar to "must be done", indicating a high level of necessity.

is required to be done

Formal and emphasizes that the action is obligatory according to a rule or law.

is advisable to do

Focuses on the recommendation aspect, suggesting it's a good idea.

is recommended to be done

Similar to "is advisable", but more formal and authoritative.

it is imperative to do

Stresses the urgency and importance of the action.

it is essential to do

Highlights the critical nature of the action, suggesting it's indispensable.

it is crucial to do

Similar to "essential" and "imperative", emphasizing the high importance of the action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ought to be done" is used to express that something is advisable or morally right to do. For example, "More testing "ought to be done" after DNA evidence proved he did not commit the rape he was convicted of in 1980."

What's the difference between "ought to be done" and "should be done"?

"Ought to be done" and "should be done" are similar, but "ought to" often implies a stronger moral obligation or duty, while "should" is a more general recommendation.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "needs to be done", "must be done", or "has to be done". These alternatives convey varying degrees of necessity and obligation.

Is "ought to be done" formal or informal?

"Ought to be done" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "should be done". In casual conversation, it's often more natural to use "should be done" or "needs to be done".