ought to be worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to be worn" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express a moral obligation or a recommendation for someone to wear something. Example: "In this cold weather, a warm coat ought to be worn to stay comfortable and avoid getting sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They ought to be worn with a bit of caution, however.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You ought to be wearing leopard skins and carrying clubs".

The New York Times - Books

"Republicans, man, they ought to be wearing a T-shirt," she said in Des Moines, Iowa.

The New Yorker

I could come back and advise her what she ought to be wearing.

The Guardian - Arts

He has big, dark, scared-looking, myopic eyes; he ought to be wearing glasses, but they're broken.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Antonio Banderas unfastens her bodice in "The Mask of Zorro" — the 1998 movie that introduced her to most Americans, including her husband, Michael Douglas — you feel he ought to be wearing oven mitts.

The New York Times

How many people bending over UV light boxes know precisely what kind of eye and face protection they ought to be wearing?

Science Magazine

Like they ought to be wearing dark glasses, not because they've been crying but because they look too open to the world".

Huffington Post

According to Los Angeles Opera chief operating officer Stephen Rountree, who by rights ought to be wearing a large red nose and a clown suit, $4,000,000 (or roughly two thirds of the deficit) was the result of ticket sales failing to meet projections.

Huffington Post

We have arrived on the shores of the future, the undiscovered country and though much remains to be resolved, the future looks so bright we ought to be wearing shades.

Genetics in Medicine

However, there are acceptable variations on the standard tutu, as well, such as more flowing fabrics that simply seem like a ballerina ought to be wearing them.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice about clothing, use "ought to be worn" to convey a gentle recommendation, especially when considering fashion or social norms. For a stronger emphasis, consider using "should be worn" or "must be worn".

Common error

Avoid using "ought to be worn" in very casual settings, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "should wear" or "need to wear" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to be worn" functions as a modal construction expressing advisability or obligation. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in recommending appropriate attire or protective gear. The phrase implies a suggestion based on considerations such as fashion, safety, or social norms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to be worn" is a grammatically correct construction used to express recommendation or advisability regarding clothing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While less common than alternatives like "should be worn", it maintains a formal tone suitable for writing and professional contexts. Use it to provide guidance on appropriate attire, keeping in mind its slightly elevated formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be worn

Replaces "ought to" with the more common "should", maintaining the sense of recommendation.

needs to be worn

Emphasizes the necessity of wearing something, rather than just advisability.

must be worn

Strengthens the recommendation to an obligation.

is advisable to wear

Formal rephrasing focusing on the advisability of wearing something.

is recommended to wear

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the recommendation.

it is best to wear

Offers a suggestion about the optimal choice of clothing.

one should wear

Employs a more formal and general recommendation.

it's important to wear

Highlights the importance of wearing something in a given situation.

is suitable to wear

Focuses on the appropriateness of wearing something.

is appropriate to wear

Similar to "is suitable to wear" but emphasizes etiquette or context.

FAQs

What does "ought to be worn" mean?

The phrase "ought to be worn" suggests that something should be worn, typically based on a recommendation, rule, or expectation. It's a somewhat formal way of giving advice or expressing a necessity regarding clothing.

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

Use "ought to be worn" in situations where you want to give a recommendation or suggest a requirement, but with a degree of formality. It's suitable for writing, professional contexts, or when addressing someone with respect.

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

You can use alternatives like "should be worn", "needs to be worn", or "must be worn" depending on the strength of the recommendation.

Is "ought to be worn" more or less formal than "should be worn"?

"Ought to be worn" is generally considered more formal than "should be worn". "Should" is more commonly used in everyday language, while "ought to" carries a slightly more traditional or formal tone.