ought to be modified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be modified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something should be changed or adjusted in some way. Example: "The current policy on remote work ought to be modified to better accommodate employees' needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The statute perhaps ought to be modified to take that into account".

The New York Times

Sixty percent of likely voters believe the Patriot Act ought to be modified, against 34% that favor its retention in its current form.

The Guardian

Many belief change formalisms employ plausibility orderings over the set of possible worlds to determine how the beliefs of an agent ought to be modified after the receipt of a new epistemic input.

Artificial Intelligence

For example, one might judge that either one's own existing community practice or some other community's practice of holding responsible ought to be modified (Fischer and Ravizza 1993: 18; Ekstrom 2000: 148–149).

SEP

Obviously, these classifications can be regarded as arbitrary and ought to be modified upon new data available.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Other New Yorker writers have maintained that Thanksgiving ought to be abolished outright, or modified beyond all recognition.

The New Yorker

The STA-IR analysis shows modified SiO2 ought to be annealed at 300 °C to eliminate metal alkoxide and solvent.

Solar Energy

Our gratification ought to be instantaneous and if it isn't, we'll modify our goals accordingly.

Huffington Post

It ought to be.

Independent

"You ought to be.

The New Yorker

They ought to be.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be modified", ensure the context clearly indicates what requires modification and why. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to be modified" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "should be changed" or "needs fixing" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be modified" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or necessity. It suggests that a specific thing, process, or rule should be changed or altered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be modified" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase suggesting that something needs alteration or improvement. While somewhat formal, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in scientific and news contexts. For less formal settings, consider alternatives like "should be revised" or "needs to be adjusted". Remember to clearly state what needs modification and why to strengthen your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be revised

Replaces "ought to" with the more common "should", and "modified" with "revised", indicating a formal review and alteration.

needs to be adjusted

Shifts from a modal verb to a direct statement of need, replacing "modified" with "adjusted" for a slightly less formal tone.

requires amendment

Uses a more formal and legalistic term "amendment" instead of "modification", suitable for official documents or policies.

would benefit from changes

Emphasizes the positive outcome of making alterations, suggesting improvement rather than necessity.

could be improved

Focuses on the potential for enhancement through changes, rather than a strict requirement for modification.

should undergo alterations

Emphasizes a process of change is recommended. "Alterations" is more formal than "modification".

demands a revision

Highlights the urgency and necessity of revising something, conveying a stronger sense of imperative.

is in need of alteration

Uses a more descriptive and somewhat passive construction to indicate the necessity of change.

necessitates adjustment

Replaces the modal verb with a stronger verb "necessitates" to emphasize the unavoidable need for adjustment.

calls for modification

Uses the idiomatic expression "calls for" to suggest that modification is the appropriate response to a given situation.

FAQs

What does "ought to be modified" mean?

The phrase "ought to be modified" suggests that something should be changed or adjusted, implying a need for improvement or correction.

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

It is suitable for formal writing or when expressing a considered opinion about necessary alterations. Consider alternatives such as "should be revised" or "needs to be adjusted" for different contexts.

Are there synonyms for "ought to be modified"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "requires amendment", "could be improved", or "should undergo alterations" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "ought to be modified" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The modal verb "ought to" expresses a sense of obligation or advisability, making it suitable for suggesting modifications.