ought to feel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ought to feel' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express an obligation or expectation, and is almost always followed by an adjective. For example: "Being a part of this community, we all ought to feel proud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He ought to feel at home.

The New York Times - Sports

Lucky ought to feel, well, lucky.

The New York Times

How foolish she ought to feel today!

The Guardian - Sport

Alternatively, chancelleries ought to feel free to reuse gifts.

The Economist

Oh, I ought to feel sorry for you.

The New Yorker

"Beyond Therapy" ought to feel like a period piece.

The New York Times

People ought to feel bad more than they do, she says, to try to make amends.

The Guardian - Film

I know you think I ought to feel insignificant, as a mere teaching and research drone.

The Guardian

But bad choices they remain — and they ought to feel bad about them.

The New York Times

Conservatives ought to feel a sense of outrage that citizens can so easily kill one another.

The New York Times

They ought to feel awful about what they were trying to do to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to feel", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the reason or situation causing the expected feeling. This provides context and strengthens the statement.

Common error

"Ought to" implies a strong suggestion or moral obligation, but not as forceful as "must". Avoid using it when a weaker suggestion like "should" or "could" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to feel" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an expectation or a moral obligation related to an emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to feel" is a modal verb phrase used to express an expectation or a moral imperative regarding an emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English, particularly in news and media. While the phrase conveys a sense of appropriateness, it is important to ensure its strength aligns with the intended context. Remember to differentiate it from alternatives like "should feel", which carry a slightly weaker connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should experience

Replaces the modal verb "ought to" with "should", suggesting a slightly weaker obligation or expectation.

should sense

Similar to "should experience", but specifically refers to the act of perceiving something through the senses.

one should feel

More formal phrasing using "one" to indicate a general subject.

is expected to feel

Emphasizes the expectation or anticipation of a certain feeling.

has reason to feel

Highlights the justification or basis for experiencing a particular emotion.

it would be appropriate to feel

More formal and indirect way of expressing that a certain feeling is suitable or fitting.

it's reasonable to feel

Suggests that feeling a certain way is logical or understandable.

one might expect to feel

Introduces a sense of expectation or anticipation regarding someone's feelings.

it is natural to feel

Emphasizes the inherent or instinctive nature of a certain feeling.

one is inclined to feel

Highlights a tendency or predisposition to experience a particular emotion.

FAQs

How do I use "ought to feel" in a sentence?

"Ought to feel" expresses an expectation or obligation to experience a certain emotion. For example, "After all that hard work, you "ought to feel" proud of yourself".

What are some alternatives to "ought to feel"?

You can use alternatives such as "should feel", "is expected to feel", or "has reason to feel" depending on the context.

Is "ought to feel" formal or informal?

"Ought to feel" is generally considered more formal than "should feel" but it can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "ought to feel" and "should feel"?

"Ought to feel" implies a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or expectation than "should feel". Both express advisability, but "ought to" carries a weightier tone.