ought to be the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be the same" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an expectation or belief that two or more things should be identical or similar in some way. Example: "In a fair competition, the rules ought to be the same for all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Disclosure rules for mutual funds ought to be the same as the rules for quoted company shares.

The Economist

In a single market, the price of spices relative to, say, the price of grain ought to be the same everywhere.

The Economist

If the state doesn't discriminate at any point in the educational assembly line, then the mix of students going in ought to be the same as the mix coming out.

The New York Times

Starting with the view that religion is analogous or similar to philosophy, al-Fārābī argued that the idea of the true prophet-lawgiver ought to be the same as that of the true philosopher-king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under "purchasing-power parity" theory, the dollar cost of both ought to be the same: the real exchange rate should be one Big Mac in New York for one Big Mac in Paris.

The Economist

"The numbers ought to be the same," said Marcus S. Owens, a lawyer at Caplin & Drysdale in Washington, who was formerly head of the I.R.S. division that oversees charities.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I think the asparagus ought to be the only vegetal flavour here, and the same goes for Costa's chopped parsley, Slater's tarragon and Fearnley-Whittingstall's chives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think two people doing the same job ought to be paid the same wage, and it's grossly unfair that one should be paid less simply because of her gender.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fundamental values, however, ought to be exactly the same as the F1 and Nascar championships head towards a climax, F1 moving to Japan next weekend, followed by Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

The Guardian - Sport

"The country ought -- everybody in the country ought to be treated the same...

Huffington Post

As currently used, the label "egalitarian" does not necessarily indicate that the doctrine so called holds that it is desirable that people's condition be made the same in any respect or that people ought to be treated the same in any respect.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to be the same", ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for comparison. What specific attributes or aspects are expected to be identical?

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be the same" when only a general similarity is intended. If there are known differences, use a phrase that acknowledges the nuances, such as "should be similar" or "should generally align".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be the same" functions primarily as a modal expression of expectation or recommendation regarding equality or similarity. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct, suggesting it's a standard construction to express a desired state of equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be the same" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying an expectation or belief that two or more entities should be identical or very similar. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is versatile, appearing in various contexts, from news reporting to scientific discourse. While alternative phrases like "should be identical" or "must be consistent" offer subtle differences in meaning, "ought to be the same" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for expressing desired equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be identical

Emphasizes exact equivalence rather than a suggested similarity.

should be equivalent

Suggests functional equivalence, perhaps not identical in every aspect.

must be consistent

Focuses on the need for logical coherence and lack of contradiction.

should correspond

Implies a matching relationship or alignment between two things.

should mirror each other

Suggests a reflective similarity, where one thing acts as a mirror of the other.

should align

Highlights the need for agreement or concordance.

should match

Emphasizes a direct correspondence or agreement.

must be uniform

Highlights the need for a standardized and consistent approach.

must be parallel

Indicates a structural or directional similarity.

should be in agreement

Focuses on the need for consensus or harmony between two things.

FAQs

What does "ought to be the same" mean?

The phrase "ought to be the same" expresses an expectation or a belief that two or more things should be identical or very similar. It suggests a desired state of equivalence.

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

You can use "ought to be the same" to express that you expect certain rules, treatments, or outcomes to be equal. For example: "In a fair competition, the rules "should be identical" for all participants."

What are some alternatives to "ought to be the same"?

Alternatives to "ought to be the same" include phrases like "should be identical", "should be equivalent", or "must be consistent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ought to be the same" formal or informal?

The phrase "ought to be the same" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "ought" can sometimes sound slightly formal, the overall phrase is commonly used and understood in a wide range of settings.