ought to be prevented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be prevented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or situations that should be stopped or avoided for ethical, moral, or practical reasons. Example: "Certain harmful practices ought to be prevented to ensure the safety of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's quite audacious for the medical board … to say you are such a dangerous individual that you ought to be prevented from practising medicine".

The Guardian

I don't have much time for the Socialist Workers Party, but I'm not convinced they represent such a grave threat to the Conservative party that they ought to be prevented from speaking in public, or using Facebook.

Independent

In this era of the lengthy acronym (what's that new European rugby body called again?), how about the RSPCRPA for a much-needed new association – because this was the kind of cruelty to members of the Rugby Players Association that ought to be prevented by some royal society or other.

The Guardian - Sport

Therefore, chronic pain ought to be prevented as early as possible in order to keep "pain memory" from being established.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Schultz argues that it is gender discrimination — not the act of sex itself — that the law ought to be preventing.

The New Yorker

It may have been during a surge in cases of scabies, a skin infection that ought to be easily prevented with soap, water and disinfectant.

The Guardian

The program is not as effective as it ought to be in preventing overpopulation due to poverty & ignorance.

The New Yorker

The Group of 20 leaders gathering in London ought to be focusing on preventing such imbalances in the future.

The New York Times

"So I told people," Mr. Bush went on, "if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon".

The New York Times

Mr. Bush said he had "told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon".

The New York Times

I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding world war three, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them having knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be prevented" to express a moral or ethical imperative for stopping something, particularly when the action is within someone's control. For example, "Misinformation ought to be prevented from spreading online."

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be prevented" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "should be stopped" or "needs to be avoided" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be prevented" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or obligation regarding preventing an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to be prevented" is grammatically correct and expresses a recommendation or moral imperative to stop something undesirable. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as usable in written English, though it is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider using this phrase to convey a strong sense of advisability or obligation, but be mindful of the context, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. Best practices include reserving it for expressing ethical concerns or actions within someone's control. Avoid overuse in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be stopped

Suggests a general recommendation to halt or cease something.

should be averted

Emphasizes the act of turning away or avoiding something undesirable.

needs to be averted

Similar to "should be averted" but with a stronger sense of urgency.

needs to be stopped

Highlights the immediate requirement to cease an action or situation.

has to be avoided

Indicates a strong necessity to keep away from something.

must not occur

Emphasizes a prohibition against something happening.

must be precluded

Focuses on making something impossible beforehand.

must be forestalled

Emphasizes the importance of acting in advance to prevent something from happening.

should not happen

A simple expression indicating a preference against something occurring.

should be forestalled

A less assertive way to express the importance of preventive action.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to be prevented" to express that something should not occur and actions should be taken to stop it. For example, "Chronic pain "ought to be prevented" as early as possible."

What phrases are similar to "ought to be prevented"?

Similar phrases include "should be avoided", "must be stopped", and "needs to be averted". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

What's the difference between "ought to be prevented" and "should be prevented"?

"Ought to be prevented" carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or advisability compared to "should be prevented". Both indicate that something undesirable needs to be stopped, but "ought to" suggests a higher level of necessity.

Is "ought to be prevented" formal or informal?

"Ought to be prevented" leans towards the formal side. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "needs to be stopped" or "should not happen" for a more relaxed tone.