ought to be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be seen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is recommended or necessary to be observed or experienced. Example: "This artwork is truly magnificent and ought to be seen by everyone who appreciates beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The EFSF bonds have an explicit guarantee so ought to be seen by investors as safer.

The Guardian - Business

"I expected that we would all be seen as equals as we ought to be seen" by now.

The Guardian

Chances are, though, it's just a major fail of a joke and ought to be seen as such.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the Arab world has plenty of other problems which, although less emotive, are bigger, and ought to be seen as just as urgent.

The Economist

The sommelier ought to be seen as a positive force, an interpreter and guide who can shepherd a meal along a rewarding and enlightening path.

The New York Times - Food

"Textbooks as e-books ought to be seen as a stepping stone to the future," said Mark Majurey of Taylor & Francis, a textbook publisher in Britain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The provenance of the noun apokatastasis is more easily established than its meaning, for even in the New Testament it may signify not so much the restoration of that which was once the case as the realisation of that which ought to be (see further Tzamalikos 2007: 237 356; Ramelli 2013: 129 221).

SEP

But as for Jojo Moyes' novel, we are given to consider if we are who we ought to be, doing what we ought to be doing, seeing who and what we ought to be seeing.

Huffington Post

Unsurprisingly, some Gulf state politicians are already seeing a cookie jar when they ought to be seeing restored wetlands and healthy beaches for people and birds.

Huffington Post

In reality, the only operational legislative bipartisanship we ought to be seeing is between the liberals and the conservadems -- together representing a de facto two-party apparatus while the Republicans tend to their conniptions.

Huffington Post

She realized that a person in her position ought not to be seen endorsing acid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be seen" to express a recommendation or necessity for something to be observed or experienced, especially when emphasizing a moral or ethical obligation. For example, "This documentary ought to be seen by anyone concerned about the environment."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to be seen" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "should be viewed" or "needs to be checked out" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be seen" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing recommendation or obligation. It suggests that something is worthy of being observed or experienced. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a sense of necessity or advisability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to be seen" is a grammatically sound phrase that expresses a recommendation or obligation to observe something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While grammatically correct, "ought to be seen" can sometimes sound overly formal; therefore, in informal conversations, consider using alternatives like "should be viewed" or "needs to be checked out". This phrase is valuable for emphasizing the importance or worthiness of observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be viewed

Suggests a recommendation for something to be observed, similar to "ought to be seen" but with a more common modal verb.

must be experienced

Emphasizes the necessity of experiencing something, indicating a stronger recommendation than "ought to be seen".

deserves attention

Highlights the worthiness of something to be noticed or observed, shifting the focus slightly from obligation to merit.

warrants consideration

Implies that something is worthy of thought and observation, focusing on the intellectual aspect of seeing.

is worth watching

Specifically refers to something that provides value in being watched or observed, typically used for performances or events.

merits observation

Formally suggests that something is worthy of being observed, often used in scientific or analytical contexts.

is recommended viewing

Explicitly recommends something for viewing, often used in media or entertainment contexts.

should be taken into account

Shifts the focus from physical observation to mental consideration or evaluation.

is vital to observe

Highlights the critical importance of observing something, emphasizing its necessity.

begs to be noticed

Emphasizes the inherent quality of something that makes it demand attention and observation.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to be seen" to express that something deserves to be observed or experienced due to its importance or value. For example, "This historical site "ought to be seen" by all citizens."

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

You can use alternatives such as "should be viewed", "must be experienced", or "deserves attention" depending on the context.

Is "ought to be seen" formal or informal?

"Ought to be seen" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "should be viewed" or "needs to be checked out".

Which is correct, "ought to be seen" or "should be seen"?

Both ""ought to be seen"" and "should be seen" are grammatically correct, but "should be seen" is more commonly used in modern English.