ought to be highlighted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be highlighted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something deserves emphasis or attention in a text or discussion. Example: "In this report, the key findings ought to be highlighted to ensure that the reader understands their importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Despite the novelty and significance level of these findings, some methodological considerations ought to be highlighted when interpreting our results.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Despite the novelty and significance of these findings, one methodological consideration that ought to be highlighted when interpreting these results is that the scores of AI knowledge and attitudes were not validated in China.

BMC Infectious Diseases

There's a campaign brewing on Twitter that really ought to be highlighted, if only because it shows the power (well, potential power) of the site.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Brian Dennehy as Sir Toby Belch in "Twelfth Night" ought to be another highlight).

The New York Times

When people were asked if "women should have a legal right to safe and accessible abortion in almost all cases," 37percentt said yes. "That's a jump of nine percentage points in who thinks abortion ought to be generally legal, just by highlighting the fact that a woman is involved in the situation," Vox's Sarah Kliff wrote.

Huffington Post

"Dog Days Are Over" ought to be the album's highlight, but it's got stiff competition.

Independent

Now that the strikes against America have highlighted Muslim discontent, this ought to be easier.

The Economist

This year's Edinburgh was also a chance to catch up with some more established companies, including Uninvited Guests, whose It Is Like It Ought to Be: A Pastoral was a real highlight of the festival, as was Filter's Twelfth Night and Third Angel's Presumption.

The Guardian

This study also highlights that these ECG patterns ought to be incorporated into pre-existing ECG interpretational guidelines.

Heart

The discrepancy highlighted by the use of narratives between what ought to be known and what is known in the learner stimulates interest in the teaching topic [ 3].

BMC Medical Education

It ought to be.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be highlighted", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject deserves special attention. This phrase is most effective when introducing key findings, significant considerations, or crucial details that the reader should not overlook.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be highlighted" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone, so opt for simpler alternatives like "should be noted" or "needs attention" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be highlighted" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a recommendation or necessity for something to be emphasized or given special attention. As seen in Ludwig, it's often used to draw focus to significant considerations or key findings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be highlighted" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, primarily found in formal writing, especially within scientific and news contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the importance of specific details or considerations. While not as common as alternatives like "should be emphasized", it maintains a formal tone suitable for academic papers, reports, and professional communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity on why the subject warrants special attention and consider simpler alternatives for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be emphasized

Replaces "ought to be" with the more common "should be", making it a more standard and direct recommendation.

needs to be underscored

Substitutes "highlighted" with "underscored", providing a slightly different visual metaphor for emphasis.

deserves special attention

Replaces the modal verb construction with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the worthiness of attention.

warrants particular focus

Emphasizes the justification for focusing on something, rather than simply stating it should be highlighted.

is worthy of note

Shifts the focus to the noteworthiness of the subject, suggesting it's important to acknowledge.

merits careful consideration

Indicates that the subject should be carefully thought about, adding a layer of depth beyond simple highlighting.

should be brought to the fore

Uses a more figurative expression to suggest that something needs to be moved into a position of prominence.

it is important to emphasize

Explicitly states the importance of emphasizing something, making the recommendation more direct.

requires specific attention

Focuses on the requirement of attention, suggesting a necessity for focus.

demands careful scrutiny

Suggests that the subject needs to be examined closely and critically, implying a need for detailed analysis.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "ought to be highlighted"?

Use "ought to be highlighted" when you want to emphasize the importance of something in a formal or professional context. It's suitable for academic papers, reports, or presentations where you need to draw attention to key findings or considerations.

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

You can use alternatives such as "should be emphasized", "needs to be underscored", or "deserves special attention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ought to be highlighted" more formal than "should be highlighted"?

Yes, "ought to be highlighted" is generally considered more formal than "should be highlighted". While both convey a similar meaning, "ought to" carries a stronger sense of obligation or recommendation, making it suitable for more formal writing.

Can "ought to be highlighted" be used in spoken English?

While grammatically correct, "ought to be highlighted" is less common in spoken English. Simpler phrases like "should be highlighted" or "needs to be pointed out" are generally preferred in conversation for their directness and ease of understanding.