ought to be kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be kept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or obligation regarding the maintenance or preservation of something. Example: "The historical documents ought to be kept in a secure location to ensure their protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Groups that endorse violence ought to be kept at arm's length.

The Economist

Or just that he spoke openly about something you felt ought to be kept secret?

The New Yorker

"A bad one ought to be kept in fear of them".

The New Yorker

Managers and supervisors  should be trained on equal opportunities and harassment issues, and records ought to be kept.

Independent

As one proceeds with the history of humanism, the following major points about its development in the 13th and 14th centuries ought to be kept in mind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Robert Gates, Mr Bush's excellent defence secretary who has helped transform the position in Iraq, ought to be kept in the post for at least a while.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Women do not need and ought not to require to be kept by men (and vice versa) after their relationship has come to an end.

The Guardian - Opinion

All positivists, however, are agreed that, although law may meet moral criteria, what the law is and what it ought to be should be kept distinct.

SEP

"These things ought to be at least kept an eye on," Dr. Ward said.

The New York Times - Science

He also dismisses the common argument that voters ought to be able to keep electing anybody they want to keep electing.

The New York Times

Mudford told the inquest that he had not considered whether the room ought to have been kept locked, access to hanging points generally, why Bennell had not been at his scheduled program that afternoon, or attempts by program workers to find Bennell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be kept", consider whether "should be maintained" or "must be retained" might be more appropriate for your intended tone and level of formality. Using "ought to" can sometimes sound overly formal or archaic.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to" can sound stilted in modern writing. Overusing it can make your writing seem unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "should" or "need to" for a smoother, more contemporary style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be kept" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advice, recommendation, or obligation. It signifies that something should be maintained or preserved, based on a sense of duty or correctness. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be kept" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a recommendation or obligation for maintaining or preserving something. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic writing. While alternatives like "should be maintained" or "must be retained" might be more suitable depending on the desired tone, "ought to be kept" remains a valid choice. However, overuse can sound stilted, so consider more common alternatives for a contemporary writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be maintained

Replaces "ought to" with the more common "should", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict obligation. It is a very similar phrase.

should be preserved

Focuses specifically on preservation, implying a need to protect something from decay or loss. It is useful if the emphasis is on conservation.

must be retained

Indicates a necessity to keep something, often for legal or procedural reasons. Emphasizes compliance.

needs to be conserved

Highlights the need for careful management and protection of a resource or item. Suitable for discussions about sustainability and preservation.

has to be secured

Stresses the importance of ensuring the safety or protection of something. Emphasizes security measures.

is required to be maintained

This formal construction indicates a mandatory requirement for upkeep or preservation, typically in regulated contexts.

is essential to safeguard

Highlights the crucial nature of protecting something. Conveys a sense of urgency and importance.

must be safeguarded

Emphasizes that protective measures are compulsory to ensure the well-being or integrity of something.

it is advisable to retain

Recommends keeping something without implying a strict obligation, suggesting prudence and foresight.

it would be prudent to preserve

Suggests that preserving something is a wise and cautious course of action, promoting long-term value.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ought to be kept" is used to express a recommendation or obligation regarding the maintenance or preservation of something. For example: "The historical documents ought to be kept in a secure location."

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

You can use alternatives like "should be maintained", "must be retained", or "needs to be conserved" depending on the context.

Is "ought to be kept" formal or informal?

"Ought to be kept" is considered more formal than alternatives like "should be kept" or "needs to be kept". Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "ought to be kept" and "should be kept"?

While both express a recommendation, "ought to be kept" implies a stronger sense of moral obligation or duty than "should be kept". In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but "ought to" carries a slightly more formal and forceful tone.