ought to be focused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be focused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something should have attention or concentration directed towards it. Example: "In order to improve our productivity, our efforts ought to be focused on the most critical tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"That's what we ought to be focused on".

The New York Times

Chief executives ought to be focused on the day-to-day job of running their companies.

The New York Times

While Yale students sometimes repeat popular saws about Justice Thomas, our attention ought to be focused on his now-considerable body of work.

The New York Times

And neither, of course, have the winter surges in hiring been as strong as they've looked.And that is what the Fed really ought to be focused on.

The Economist

Which is why the eyes of the world ought to be focused more clearly on Nepal.The country in no way resembles its seductive image as a hashish-tinged Shangri-La of pagodas and Himalayan treks.

The Economist

The danger in so relentlessly referencing historical markers, however, is that they can trick us into looking backward over our shoulders when we ought to be focused on the unpredictable path ahead.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In any case, this is where the Fed ought to be focusing its attention.

The New Yorker

We really ought to be focusing on that, and doing everything we can to stop it from happening.

The Guardian - Opinion

The most important thing, the thing we really ought to be focusing on, is this sad girl.

The New York Times - Books

Instead of talking about toxic employees, we really ought to be focusing on the employment sector as a whole.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Group of 20 leaders gathering in London ought to be focusing on preventing such imbalances in the future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be focused", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what should be directing their attention or efforts. For example, "The team ought to be focused on completing the project on time."

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be focused" when a stronger imperative is necessary. While it suggests a recommendation, it might not convey the urgency or necessity implied by phrases like "must be focused" or "needs to be focused".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be focused" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing advisability or obligation regarding the direction of attention or effort. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in expressing recommendations. It indicates what should ideally receive primary attention or concentration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to be focused" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a recommendation or expectation for directing attention or effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While it conveys a sense of advisability, understanding its strength and choosing the right alternatives, such as "should be concentrated on" or "needs to be directed towards", can enhance clarity and impact. Using it thoughtfully can lead to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be concentrated on

Uses "should" instead of "ought to", indicating a recommendation rather than a strong obligation and "concentrated on" for a slightly stronger emphasis.

needs to be directed towards

Emphasizes the necessity of directing attention, replacing "ought to" with "needs to" and "focused" with "directed towards".

must be centered on

Conveys a strong imperative to center attention, substituting "ought to" with "must be" and "focused" with "centered".

should be geared towards

Suggests aligning efforts towards a specific goal, replacing "focused" with "geared towards" and "ought to" with "should".

attention should be paid to

Shifts the focus to the act of paying attention, instead of directly focusing, using a more passive construction.

emphasis should be placed on

Highlights the importance of emphasizing certain aspects, replacing "focused" with a more explicit emphasis term.

priority should be given to

Indicates that something should be treated as a priority, changing the emphasis from focusing to prioritizing.

efforts should be aimed at

Suggests directing efforts towards a specific target, changing the context from general focus to targeted efforts.

resources should be allocated to

Focuses on the allocation of resources, rather than simply focusing attention, implying a more active distribution.

consideration should be given to

Suggests that something should be carefully considered, shifting the focus from direct action to thoughtful evaluation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ought to be focused" suggests a recommendation or expectation for where attention should be directed. For instance, "The company's strategy ought to be focused on sustainable growth".

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

You can use alternatives like "should be concentrated on", "needs to be directed towards", or "must be centered on" depending on the context.

Is "ought to be focused" formal or informal?

"Ought to be focused" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "should be focused" or "needs to be focused". It implies a sense of duty or advisability that's appropriate for professional or academic settings.

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

"Ought to be focused" carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or expectation compared to "should be focused". While both suggest a recommendation, "ought to" implies a greater sense of what is right or proper.