ought to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or obligation to persist in an action or behavior. Example: "Given the positive feedback we've received, we ought to continue with the current marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

That debate ought to continue.

The New York Times

That's a debate we ought to continue.

The Washington Post

They agree it's shameful but ought to continue anyhow.

The New York Times

President Bush ought to continue to point out Senator Kerry's inconsistencies.

The New York Times

It falls to Comey to explain whether the FBI ought to continue in that role.

The Guardian

Since tribes cannot get such machines yet, some courts have ruled that use of the video slots ought to continue.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

DAVID AXELROD: Well, first of all, the President has said that that he thinks that we ought to continue those portions of the tax cuts that apply to the middle class.

Huffington Post

And these issues don't begin to address tax issues connected with partnerships, or the regressive nature of the payroll tax, or the simple matter that the wealthy have greater recourse to tax accountants and attorneys.Which isn't to say that progressives ought not to continue to fight for equalization of capital gains and income tax rates.

The Economist

For example, if a ruler is so malevolent that it is impossible for his ministers to correct his wrong-doing in a remonstrative way such that the relationship of ruler-subjects can be maintained, his ministers cannot and ought not to continue to be loyal.

HuffPost

It does explain why or how so many biblical stories show wives being treated as less than fully human, but I do hope that people who love the Bible can admit that this is an element of it that we ought not to continue to endorse.

Huffington Post

"My personal view is that Great Britain is great and it ought to stay together," he continued.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to continue" to express a sense of moral obligation or advisability, especially in formal contexts where a gentler suggestion than "must" or "should" is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to continue" when a strong command or requirement is intended. The phrase suggests advisability rather than a strict necessity. In situations demanding immediate compliance, stronger verbs like "must", "need", or "require" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to continue" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating advisability or a sense of duty to persist with an action. It expresses a weaker obligation than "must" but a stronger suggestion than "should". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to continue" is a grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express the advisability or moral obligation to persist in an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While less common than "should continue", it maintains a presence across reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Forbes, making it appropriate for formal to neutral contexts. To convey similar ideas, alternatives such as "should continue", "must continue", or "need to continue" can be used depending on the nuance desired. When using the phrase "ought to continue", remember that it's better to use stronger verbs when a strong command or requirement is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should continue

Replaces "ought to" with the more common and less formal "should".

must continue

Emphasizes necessity or requirement more strongly than "ought to".

needs to continue

Highlights the necessity of continuing an action or state.

has to continue

Similar to "needs to continue", emphasizing obligation.

should keep going

More informal and emphasizes sustained effort.

should proceed

Focuses on the action of moving forward.

must carry on

Implies perseverance and resilience in continuing.

is advisable to continue

More formal and explicitly recommends continuing.

it is recommended to continue

Presents the continuation as an external recommendation.

it is essential to continue

Stresses the critical importance of continuing.

FAQs

How to use "ought to continue" in a sentence?

Use "ought to continue" to express that something should be done or is advisable to do, for example: "Given the positive results, we "ought to continue" the research."

What can I say instead of "ought to continue"?

You can use alternatives like "should continue", "must continue", or "need to continue" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ought to continue" or "should continue"?

"Ought to continue" and "should continue" are both grammatically correct, but "ought to" is generally considered more formal and less commonly used in modern English.

What's the difference between "ought to continue" and "must continue"?

"Ought to continue" suggests a moral obligation or advisability, while "must continue" implies a stricter necessity or requirement.