ought to be protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or moral obligation to safeguard something, such as rights, values, or the environment. Example: "Wildlife habitats ought to be protected to ensure biodiversity for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

gap's letter to Annan cites nearly two dozen instances in the book of alleged misconduct, the revelation of which, according to gap, ought to be protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989.

The New Yorker

Mr. Clinton asked Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to explore whether the trees ought to be protected under the 1906 Antiquities Act, as he did a month ago to ensure permanent protection over land adjacent to the Grand Canyon.

The New York Times

This ought to be protected by the Marriage Equality Act.

The New York Times - Food

They ought to be protected by them too.

The Guardian - Opinion

You ought to be protected as a precious commodity.

The Guardian

They'll argue, like the senators, that their districts ought to be protected.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It's not clear to me that you ought to be protecting bondholders," said Mr. Skeel.

The New York Times

They might lower the level of violence and of hostility between the security forces and the people they ought to be protecting.

The Economist

Since convincing people to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds to live in such areas is not particularly easy especially when they have no money that means that Britain doesn't build very much.Some people think that this is a good thing we ought to be protecting the beautiful British countryside from the bulldozers.

The Economist

"Quite ironic considering it is their own customers that they ought to be protecting.

TechCrunch

Judeophobia the mockery of the religion of Moses, of the kind that Voltaire engaged in at length ought to be protected, no matter who engages in it, just as "South Park" 's mockery of Mormonism should.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if "ought to be protected" sounds too formal or stilted. Alternatives like "should be protected" or "needs protection" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be protected" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase is relatively formal and might sound unnatural in everyday contexts. Consider using less formal alternatives like "needs to be protected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be protected" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing obligation or necessity. It indicates that something should be safeguarded, often due to moral, ethical, or practical considerations. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to be protected" is a modal verb phrase used to express a sense of duty or necessity in safeguarding something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, with examples spanning news, science, and formal contexts. While "ought to be protected" is generally appropriate for formal writing, synonyms like "should be safeguarded" or "must be preserved" may be suitable alternatives depending on the context. Remember to avoid overuse in informal settings, opting for less formal alternatives. The most frequent sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Economist and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be safeguarded

Replaces "ought to" with "should be", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict obligation. The term safeguarded provides an extra emphasis on security and preservation

must be preserved

Uses "must be" to express a stronger necessity and "preserved" to emphasize maintaining something in its original condition.

deserves protection

Shifts the focus to the worthiness of something to be protected, rather than the obligation to protect it.

warrants safeguarding

Emphasizes that something justifies being protected. The term warrant highlights the legitimacy of the protection.

needs to be defended

Focuses on defending against threats, suggesting a more active protective role.

requires conservation

Highlights the need for careful management to prevent loss or damage, typically used in environmental contexts.

is worthy of preservation

Underscores the value and merit of preserving something for future use or enjoyment.

is crucial to conserve

Highlights how essential the action is to conserve something, often for environmental or historical subjects.

should be maintained

Focuses on the act of keeping something in good order, ensuring it remains in a specified condition.

demands to be shielded

Uses "demands" to indicate a strong need and "shielded" to imply protection from harm or negative influences.

FAQs

What does "ought to be protected" mean?

The phrase "ought to be protected" expresses a moral or practical necessity for something to be safeguarded or defended. It implies that there are valid reasons or obligations to ensure the safety or preservation of whatever is being discussed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ought to be protected"?

It's appropriate to use "ought to be protected" in formal contexts where you want to emphasize a moral or legal obligation. This could be in academic papers, news articles, or professional documents, especially when discussing rights, values, or the environment.

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

You can use alternatives like "should be safeguarded", "must be preserved", or "deserves protection" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "ought to be protected" differ from "should be protected"?

"Ought to be protected" suggests a stronger moral obligation than "should be protected". While both indicate a recommendation, "ought to" carries a heavier sense of duty or correctness.