ought to be informed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be informed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone should receive information or be made aware of something. Example: "All employees ought to be informed about the new company policies to ensure compliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Though I do believe that if he's terminally ill the shareholders ought to be informed. Otherwise, it's nobody's business but his own).

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Huntsman chided Mr. Romney for his repeated claim that he would listen to the commanders on the ground, saying that a president is commander in chief, and "ought to be informed by a lot of different voices".

The New York Times

Careers advisers ought to be informed to tell any young shaver who comes in asking about becoming a bowler that they are being daft and should try something easier like ending world poverty.

Independent

The mainstay of tumor screening and diagnosis in the augmented breast is just as in non-operated patients mammography and ultrasound in that order [22]; however, the sensitivity of both methods for cancer detection may be reduced in augmented breasts [11, 21], and patients ought to be informed of this fact before they undergo surgery.

Insights into Imaging

Our results also suggest that where there are competing alternatives with different risk benefit profiles, patients believe that they ought to be informed of these options.

AJOB Empirical Bioethics

It may just create another arbitrary age cut-off criteria for transition, whereas our findings suggest that criteria ought to be informed by mental health and psychosocial factors of readiness.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Sherwood has already been informed by the relevant people about what to expect, followed by an immediate leak to Sky Sports, and when the process is that undignified it really ought to be no surprise that there are informed 24-7 fobsessivessuchives such as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher who have taken a long, hard look at management and decided it is not for them.

The Guardian - Sport

"What I do think ought to be the policy is that parents should be informed about the potential protective effects".

The New York Times

Topics fundamental to the study of evolution, often thought of as useless, are indeed vital because they inform how life science information ought to be organized.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It is argued that CC ought to be integral to policy, administrative practices and service delivery, and should be informed through service user and community involvement.

BMC Health Services Research

"We are not nearly so well informed as we ought to be," said Sir Sidney, "in regard to the different kinds of whale or to the the similarity or otherwise of the whale of the North and South".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be informed", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for informing and who should receive the information. This prevents ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "ought informed". The correct structure is "ought to be informed". Omitting "to be" changes the meaning and creates a grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be informed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to suggest that someone should receive information. It indicates a perceived duty to inform someone of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be informed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express that someone should receive certain information. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and suggests it conveys a sense of duty or advisability. While not as common as other alternatives like "should be notified", it is appropriate for formal contexts and carries a slightly stronger sense of obligation. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who should inform and who should be informed to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

need to be informed

Highlights the necessity of providing information.

should be advised

Suggests a recommendation to provide information.

should be notified

Focuses on the action of informing someone about something.

must be informed

Emphasizes an obligation to provide information.

should be apprised

Implies formally informing someone of something.

have to be told

Indicates a requirement to communicate information.

are required to know

Stresses a formal requirement for awareness.

it is important to inform

Highlights the significance of communicating information.

it is essential to advise

Focuses on the crucial nature of providing counsel or information.

it is necessary to notify

Emphasizes the need to communicate information officially.

FAQs

What does "ought to be informed" mean?

The phrase "ought to be informed" means that someone should be made aware of specific information or circumstances. It implies a sense of duty or advisability in providing that information.

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

It is appropriate to use "ought to be informed" when there's a moral, ethical, or practical reason for someone to receive specific information. For example, shareholders "ought to be informed" about the company's critical decisions.

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

Alternatives include "should be notified", "need to be informed", or "must be informed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the strength of the recommendation or requirement.

Is "ought to be informed" more formal than other similar phrases?

Yes, "ought to be informed" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "should be told" or "need to know". The word "ought" itself lends a slightly more formal tone to the sentence.