ought to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone has a responsibility or duty to provide an explanation. Example: "The teacher ought to explain the new concepts clearly to ensure all students understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The Democrats ought to explain the dangers of modern totalitarianism and the goals of the war.

The New York Times

And firms ought to explain how their activities are compatible with government emissions targets.

The Economist

"But at this point, I feel I probably ought to explain what's going on.

The New York Times

That's what I think Senator Obama ought to explain to the American people".

The New York Times

The Pope, if he wants anyone's trust, ought to explain what happened.

The New Yorker

(Goodstein notes that Murphy "died in 1998, still a priest"). The Pope, if he wants anyone's trust, ought to explain what happened.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"When many hands are available, people work less hard than they ought to," explains Gino.

Harvard Business Review

I ought, perhaps, to explain at this point that the tsetse-fly is viviparous, and produces a full-grown larva, one at a time; the larva is of a light yellowish tint when born, and wriggles about actively for an hour or so, and then turns in a short time to a dark brown pupa, about the size of a grain of wheat.

Nature

The important aspect of the distinction for the present discussion is that on Locke's view we ought always to explain a secondary quality in terms of a primary quality by which it produces the relevant sensation in us.

SEP

I ought to try to explain myself.

Forbes

The vulgus were definitely not wrong in trying to find a causal explanation for miracles; Spinoza openly argues that we ought to try to explain things through their proximate causes.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to explain", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is expected to provide the explanation and what they need to explain. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the message is clear.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to explain" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "should explain" or "needs to explain" for a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to explain" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or obligation. It suggests that someone has a responsibility to provide clarification or justification for a particular action, decision, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to explain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a sense of duty or strong advisability to provide an explanation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context and formality level when using it, as it can sometimes sound overly formal. Alternatives like "should explain" or "needs to explain" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Its usage is prevalent in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting its suitability for formal communication. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should clarify

Replaces "ought to" with "should", indicating a slightly weaker obligation to provide explanation.

should elucidate

Substitutes "explain" with "elucidate", implying a more detailed and thorough clarification.

need to clarify

Uses "need to" instead of "ought to", suggesting a necessity for explanation.

must justify

Emphasizes the need to provide a valid reason or defense, rather than a simple explanation.

have to account for

Focuses on providing a comprehensive report or rationale for something.

are expected to detail

Highlights the expectation of a detailed explanation, rather than just a general overview.

are required to disclose

Stresses a formal requirement to reveal or explain something.

have a duty to clarify

Emphasizes the moral or legal obligation to provide clarification.

it would be advisable to clarify

Presents the explanation as a recommendation rather than a strict obligation.

it's recommended to explicate

Similar to the previous, but using "explicate" to suggest a more thorough and formal explanation.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to explain" when you want to express that someone has a duty or strong advisability to provide clarification or reasons for something. For example, "The company ought to explain its new policies to the employees".

What is a less formal alternative to "ought to explain"?

For less formal situations, you can use alternatives such as "should explain", "needs to explain", or "has to explain". These options convey a similar meaning but are less likely to sound overly formal. You can replace it with "should clarify".

When is it appropriate to use "ought to explain" instead of "should explain"?

"Ought to explain" carries a stronger sense of moral obligation or advisability compared to "should explain". Use "ought to explain" when you want to emphasize a duty or responsibility. Replace it with "should explain".

What does "ought to explain" imply about the situation?

Using "ought to explain" implies that there is a perceived need for justification or clarification. It suggests that without an explanation, there could be misunderstanding, doubt, or criticism. It can be replaced with alternatives like "must justify".