ought to be maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or importance of keeping something in a certain condition or state. Example: "The integrity of the data ought to be maintained to ensure accurate results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If new landlords just helped farmers get credit, it would make a big difference.Yet a certain wariness ought to be maintained.

The Economist

The other two registry types have well-defined sources of policy for how they ought to be maintained, as well.

TechCrunch

As episodes continue, less rehydration and medical care are provided by carers, whereas they ought to be maintained because of the continued purging and cumulative effect of the symptoms.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Acceptable macronutrients distribution in the diet, along with quality choices of unsaturated fats, unrefined cereals, and plant-based or animal-based high biological value proteins, ought to be maintained to reduce metabolic complications and chronic disease risks [ 29, 57, 59, 60].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Decent food, Mr. Freidanck swore, ought to be carefully maintained as a component of air travel, especially on long flights, which is where airlines are engaged in their most intense competition for business passengers who pay the highest fares.

The New York Times

But these are cricketers who are as fit as any in the world, and ought to be capable of maintaining a standard even in trying circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Our key finding is that control programmes ought to be able to maintain surveillance levels that detect at least 5% of all cases to have realistic prospects of eliminating rabies, and that surveillance with detection probabilities of more than 0.1 would be ideal.

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

We recommend that rabies control programmes ought to be able to maintain surveillance levels that detect at least 5% (and ideally 10%) of all cases to improve their prospects of eliminating rabies, and this can be achieved through greater intersectoral collaboration.

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

The intuition behind this ought to be very simple: Mr. Obama is maintaining leads in the polls in Ohio and other states that are sufficient for him to win 270 electoral votes.

The New York Times

For instance, Sidgwick thought that good could be analysed as what ought to be desired, and Ewing maintained that it could be analysed as the fitting object of a pro-attitude.

SEP

If there is to be additional expenditure on forest roads, priority ought to be given to better maintaining existing roads and bridges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be maintained", ensure the subject requiring maintenance is clearly defined and the reasons for its maintenance are evident to the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to be maintained" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "should be kept up" or "needs to be looked after" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be maintained" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong recommendation or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is not only advisable but also carries a sense of duty or correctness. The examples provided show its use in various contexts, from farming practices to surveillance levels.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be maintained" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong recommendation or obligation to preserve a particular state or condition. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, reflecting a formal register. While "ought to be maintained" conveys a stronger sense of duty than simpler alternatives like "should be maintained", it's important to use the phrase judiciously, considering the context and audience to avoid sounding overly formal. Remember to clearly define what requires maintenance and why, ensuring your message is both persuasive and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be preserved

Replaces "ought to" with "should", softening the obligation slightly while maintaining the focus on preservation.

needs to be sustained

Shifts the focus to the necessity of continuation and support, implying a requirement for ongoing effort.

must be upheld

Emphasizes a strong obligation to maintain a certain standard or principle.

requires preservation

Highlights the requirement for safeguarding something from harm or decline.

is essential to conserve

Underscores the vital importance of keeping something in its current state.

it is imperative to protect

Focuses on the crucial need to shield something from damage or loss.

it is necessary to retain

Highlights the need to keep or hold onto something.

it is advisable to conserve

Suggests a recommendation to protect something.

it would be best to sustain

Softens the obligation to a best-practice suggestion.

it is critical to safeguard

Emphasizes the criticality to protect something.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to be maintained" to express a moral obligation or strong recommendation for keeping something in good condition. For example, "The equipment "ought to be maintained" regularly to ensure safety".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "should be preserved", "must be upheld", or "needs to be sustained". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ought to be maintained" formal or informal?

"Ought to be maintained" is generally considered formal. In more casual contexts, phrases like "should be kept up" or "needs to be looked after" might be more appropriate.

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

"Ought to be maintained" conveys a stronger sense of moral obligation or advisability than "should be maintained", which is a more general recommendation.