ought to be separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be separated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or recommendation for something to be divided or kept apart. Example: "In this analysis, the different components of the project ought to be separated to ensure clarity and focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

156, 159, where he says, "I do not think that law ought to be separated from justice, where it is at most doubtful," I concur in the conclusions reached by the court.

Harvard University

Even base of tongue cancer and OTSCC cases ought to be separated because base of tongue cancer show more similarities to tonsillar cancer than OTSCC, ie HPV positivity (Dahlgren et al, 2004).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

President Humala, 50, has sought to sidestep the attention focused on his familial discord, refusing to answer questions about it and saying that politics and family ought to be separate.

The New York Times

It's those spaces we think men and women ought to be separate that provoke the most powerful reactions.

Huffington Post

Despite the fact that Trump has not elucidated any policy position further than offensive sound bites, Trump's character ought not to be separated from his vision for America.

HuffPost

How this is to be separated from the value judgements of society in general and from medical expertise in particular has been controversial as indeed has the question of whether it ought to be so separated.

British Journal of Psychiatry

The essential stable semantics of these fundamental concepts and of systems specified using them ought to be clearly separated from the accidental (often IT-industry-imposed excessively complex and rapidly changing) details.

Computer Standards & Interfaces

If you expect the costs to be steep, however, they probably ought to be a separate line item in the settlement or at least part of the negotiation.

The New York Times

Unlike some scientists, who think religion and science ought to be kept separate, Dyson favors Templeton's efforts to encourage a "dialog" between the two realms.

Science Magazine

There ought to be a separate training pen with a practice feeding station for the new animals.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

However, if we take into account the difference between chemical and machine noise when we analyze the spectra, we ought to be able to separate chemical noise from machine noise; this is because the peaks in the low mass-to-charge ratio regions are due to the organic acids and thus distinct from machine noise.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to be separated" when expressing a recommendation or expectation for division based on principles of fairness, efficiency, or clarity. It's suitable for situations where separation is logically or morally desirable but not strictly mandatory.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be separated" in strictly formal or legal documents where a more definitive term like "must be separated" or "shall be separated" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be separated" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or obligation. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. This usage aligns with examples where a division or distinction is considered advisable or necessary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be separated" is a grammatically correct expression used to recommend or suggest a division or distinction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both usable and understandable in English. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing across various contexts such as academia, news, and science. While semantically sound, it’s essential to consider the context and choose more definitive terms in strictly formal or legal settings. The phrase effectively conveys the idea that certain elements would benefit from being kept apart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be divided

Expresses a recommendation or obligation for division, similar to "ought to be separated" but with a stronger sense of necessity.

should be kept apart

Implies maintaining a distance or distinction, comparable to separation but focusing on preservation of that distance.

must be segregated

Suggests a more forceful and often legally enforced separation, carrying a stronger connotation than "ought to be separated".

call for segregation

Similar to 'must be segregated', it indicates that separation is not only recommended but necessary in specific context.

need to be partitioned

Indicates a division into distinct parts or sections, often used in technical or formal contexts.

have to be detached

Highlights the act of disconnecting or removing something, emphasizing the physical or conceptual removal.

require dissociation

Emphasizes the need to break the connection between elements, often used in scientific or psychological contexts.

demand differentiation

Stresses the importance of recognizing distinct qualities or characteristics, highlighting the act of distinguishing.

necessitate isolation

Focuses on the act of setting something apart to prevent interaction or influence, often used in medical or scientific contexts.

warrant demarcation

Implies the need for clearly defined boundaries or distinctions, often used in geographical or political contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to be separated" to express a recommendation or a belief that two or more things should be kept apart. For example, "In this analysis, the different components of the project "ought to be separated" to ensure clarity and focus".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "should be divided", "should be kept apart", or, for stronger emphasis, "must be segregated".

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

It's appropriate when suggesting a separation that is logical, ethical, or practical but not necessarily legally binding. It implies a judgment or recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

Is "ought to be separated" interchangeable with "should be separated"?

While similar, "ought to be separated" carries a slightly stronger moral or logical implication compared to "should be separated". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.