ought to be shown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be shown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is expected or required to be displayed or demonstrated. Example: "The results of the experiment ought to be shown in the final report to support the conclusions drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But as the project developed, it was decided that a wider range of work ought to be shown.

The Guardian

The letter states that Mr Johnson was recently given a five-year-old document regarding the use of incendiary gas on the Branch Davidian compound, with handwritten notes on the document discussing whether or not it ought to be shown to Justice Department officials.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is the kind of art the Turner prize ought to be showing - it would create a row not about the tedious issue of conceptual art good or bad, but about colonialism, capitalism, racism, the responsibilities of art and the evil of banality.

The Guardian

A few obsequious and/or bulbous middle-aged ladies think the picture ought not to be shown, owing to the fact that the picture is rumored to have something to do with a certain publisher, who, for the first time in his life, or maybe the second, shall be nameless.

The New Yorker

Re "New Call in Baseball: Previous Play Is Under Review, in New York," Aug. 16: As part of its likely use of expanded instant replay, Major League Baseball ought to finally allow close calls to be shown on the ballpark video boards.

The New York Times - Sports

"Train Dreams" ought to be read.

The New York Times - Books

The public schools, though still worse than they ought to be, have shown signs of improvement since Mr Daley took them under his own control in 1995.

The Economist

They show 3 (or possibly 4 as the labels are very difficult to read and ought to be larger and show the full codon sequence) proline codons on the plot.

eLife

Though they ought to be blushing, they show no sign of doing so.

The New York Times

But they think that people who do go to college ought to be able to show something for the time and expense.

The New Yorker

And the third level — rampage and mayhem that is really ethnic or class warfare or the Hobbesian "war of all against all" — is universally condemned, even though many say the poor of every country have a right to be angry and ought to be forgiven for showing it during a crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "ought to be shown" with stronger verbs like "must" or "should" to convey different degrees of obligation or recommendation.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be shown" excessively in very formal documents where a more direct and authoritative tone is preferred. Opt for "must be displayed" or "shall be presented" for increased impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be shown" functions as a modal verb construction expressing advisability or expectation regarding the display or presentation of something. It is used to indicate that something is expected or recommended to be visible or demonstrated. This aligns with Ludwig AI’s assessment of its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be shown" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to express an expectation or recommendation for something to be displayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While alternatives like "should be displayed" or "must be exhibited" may be more appropriate in certain formal settings, "ought to be shown" remains a versatile and acceptable choice. Remember to ensure clarity regarding who or what is responsible for displaying the item to avoid ambiguity and overuse the phrase in highly formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be displayed

Expresses a similar level of recommendation or expectation for something to be visible.

must be exhibited

Indicates a stronger necessity for something to be displayed.

needs to be presented

Highlights the necessity of presenting something for consideration.

is required to be visible

Emphasizes a formal requirement for something to be seen.

is supposed to be displayed

Implies an expectation or agreement for something to be shown.

is expected to be presented

Focuses on the anticipation of a presentation or display.

is advised to be exhibited

Suggests a recommendation for something to be displayed.

could be showcased

Indicates a possibility or suggestion for something to be shown in an attractive way.

may be demonstrated

Indicates permission or possibility for something to be shown or proven.

warrants being displayed

Suggests that something justifies or deserves to be shown.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ought to be shown" is used to express an expectation or recommendation that something should be displayed or revealed. For example, "The experimental results "ought to be shown" in the presentation."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "should be displayed", "must be exhibited", or "needs to be presented".

Is "ought to be shown" formal or informal?

"Ought to be shown" is generally considered neutral in formality. While acceptable in many contexts, "should be displayed" or "must be exhibited" may be more appropriate for highly formal settings.

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

Both "ought to be shown" and "should be shown" express a recommendation or expectation. However, "should" is more commonly used and generally considered less formal than "ought to".