ought to be linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or expectation that two or more things should be connected or associated in some way. Example: "The two concepts ought to be linked to provide a clearer understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The national minimum wage and Congressional salaries ought to be linked.

The New York Times

Writer thinks they ought to be linked to the nearest mainland but the natives would hate all those bridges & tunnels and try to stop them, as the people on Martha's Vineyard have opposed the construction of a span from Woods Hole, but in the end it might be their salvation.

The New Yorker

Our foreign policy and our domestic priorities ought to be linked and mutually supportive, not in separate silos.

Huffington Post

While Congress was negotiating a recovery package to bring our country out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, some deficit hawks were promoting the notion that the short-term costs of the economic downturn and the recovery plan ought to be linked to long-term reductions in Social Security and Medicare.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Now we're meant to be working in partnership, I thought maybe we ought to be linking up with police," she says.

The Guardian

Jackson 1985 argues for an approach to "ought to be" that links it to counterfactuals, and he informally explores its semantics and logic; Goble 1990a makes a similar case for "good" and "bad" (as well as "ought"), formally tying these to logical features of counterfactuals explicitly.

SEP

"So, before I can answer your question, Wolfgang, on what the primary surplus target ought to be, it is crucial that we link this number to our policies on non-performing bank loans (that impede credit to exporters) and investment flows (which are reduced when we set the primary budget surplus target too high, scaring investors off with the implicit threat of higher future taxes).

The Guardian

Some argue that link ought to be strengthened, via a tax on vehicle-miles travelled (VMT), for instance.

The Economist

There ought to be some system like hotmail that could link up lone travellers by destination.

The Guardian - Travel

This link between induction of ET-1 synthesis and LPS exposure ought to be considered in populations exposed to LPS, both in environmental and occupational settings.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Analysis of linked health data is needed to establish whether selectivity in consent means the resulting research databases suffer from any biases that ought to be considered.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be linked", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the recommended connection. Providing a rationale strengthens the argument and clarifies the intended outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be linked" when a weaker association is more appropriate. Overstating the connection can lead to misinterpretations and weaken the overall argument. Alternatives like "could be associated" may be more suitable in some cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be linked" functions as a modal expression indicating a recommendation or perceived necessity for a connection between two or more elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing a desired relationship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be linked" is a grammatically sound phrase used to recommend or suggest a connection between two or more things. As Ludwig confirms, this expression is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and well-understood. The key is to ensure that the rationale behind the recommended connection is evident to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be connected

Replaces "ought to" with "should", suggesting a weaker obligation or recommendation.

should be associated

Replaces "linked" with "associated", implying a less direct or formal connection.

must be connected

Replaces "ought to" with "must", indicating a stronger necessity for the connection.

need to be related

Focuses on the necessity of a relationship between the elements, rather than a direct link.

should be integrated

Suggests a blending or merging of the elements, instead of just a connection.

should be tied together

Emphasizes the binding aspect of the connection, suggesting a strong dependency.

should correspond

Emphasizes a matching or aligning relationship, instead of a direct connection.

must be correlated

Highlights a statistical relationship where changes in one element affect the other.

are advised to be linked

Adds explicit advice, making it clear the connection is a recommendation from someone.

are recommended to be connected

Suggests an official recommendation for the connection.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to be linked" to express a recommendation or expectation that two or more things should be connected or associated in some way. For example: "Foreign policy and domestic priorities "ought to be linked" and mutually supportive".

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

You can use alternatives such as "should be connected", "need to be related", or "should be associated" depending on the specific context and the degree of necessity you want to convey.

What is the difference between "ought to be linked" and "must be linked"?

"Ought to be linked" suggests a recommendation or a desirable connection, while "must be linked" implies a stronger necessity or requirement. The choice depends on whether the connection is merely advisable or absolutely essential.

Is "ought to be linked" formal or informal?

"Ought to be linked" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more direct alternatives like "should be connected" might be preferred in very informal settings.