ought to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ought to exist' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is necessary or desirable. Example: We ought to exist in a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Jefferson wondered whether copyright ought to exist at all.

The New York Times - Books

All four qualities ought to exist in concert.

Harvard Business Review

Note that all the above four qualities ought to exist in concert.

Harvard Business Review

The power to protect the nation "ought to exist without limitation..

The New York Times

The size and age of the universe makes it seem probable that many advanced societies ought to exist.

MIT Technology Review

Of course, the ideal by itself does not determine what particular laws or constitutional arrangements ought to exist in any specific society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"These people don't believe that people who don't agree with them ought to be able to exist".

Huffington Post

A career in stand-up comedy, he warns her, is something that, "like cancer and God," ought not to exist.

The Washington Post

Many Westerners seem to ignore these clearly expressed "irrational" preferences, because in a sensible world they ought not to exist.

The New York Times

It suggests that these movies really ought not to exist at all, but if they must exist, let them feature gorgeous young women primed to appeal to male filmgoers' base instincts.

The Guardian - Film

A good chunk of the series is filmed on or near this route and the landscape is startling, as if it ought not to exist outside a child's imagination.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to exist" to express a belief that something is morally right, logical, or necessary. For example, "A system of checks and balances ought to exist in every government."

Common error

Avoid using "ought to exist" when you mean something should have existed in the past. Use "ought to have existed" for past expectations: "Such regulations ought to have existed long ago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to exist" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a sense of obligation, expectation, or logical necessity. It asserts that something should be present or real, often based on moral, ethical, or logical grounds. As per Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to exist" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong belief that something should be present, whether due to moral, logical, or practical reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. The analysis reveals that its primary contexts are News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating its usage in reasoned arguments and considered judgments. Related phrases include "should exist", "needs to exist", and "must exist", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. A key writing tip is to distinguish "ought to exist" from "ought to have existed" to avoid tense confusion. In summary, "ought to exist" is a versatile and precise phrase for expressing expectations and advocating for the presence of something deemed necessary or desirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should exist

Replaces "ought to" with "should", indicating a weaker sense of obligation or expectation.

must exist

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or logical necessity.

has to exist

Similar to "must exist", indicating a strong necessity.

needs to exist

Highlights the necessity or requirement for something to be present.

is required to exist

Formal and emphasizes the mandatory nature of existence.

is expected to exist

Emphasizes anticipation or probability based on certain conditions.

is supposed to exist

Suggests an arrangement, plan, or expectation for something to be present.

is meant to exist

Suggests a purpose or intention behind the existence of something.

is likely to exist

Focuses on the probability or chance of something being present.

is probable to exist

More formal than "is likely to exist", suggesting a good chance of existing.

FAQs

How can I use "ought to exist" in a sentence?

Use "ought to exist" to express that something should logically or morally be present. For instance, "Fairness ought to exist in all legal proceedings."

What does "ought to exist" mean?

The phrase "ought to exist" suggests that something is necessary, desirable, or logically expected to be present or real. It implies a sense of obligation or strong expectation.

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

Alternatives include "should exist", "needs to exist", or "must exist" depending on the context and strength of the statement.

Is it more appropriate to use "should exist" or "ought to exist"?

"Ought to exist" implies a stronger sense of moral or logical obligation than "should exist". Use "ought to exist" when emphasizing a duty or requirement.