ought to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that something should be better or enhanced in the future. Example: "The team's performance was satisfactory, but there are areas where they ought to improve for the next season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But the odds ought to improve.

The Guardian - Business

That ought to improve internet radio as a whole.

The Economist

That ought to improve China's woeful corporate governance, because only the best firms would attract investors.

The Economist

Much has gone into infrastructure, which ought to improve the rate of productivity growth.

The Economist

In the long run this ought to improve the efficiency of capital markets by improving price discovery.

The Economist

The rhythm section ought to improve by the end of the week; the bassist, Mark Helias, and the drummer, Marlon Browden, haven't played together in this group before.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But there is no widely accepted answer to the question about what states ought to do to improve the health of people living in other states.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

All four focus groups felt that the government ought to act to improve the 'healthiness' of products created and sold by the food industry, particularly to benefit children who would not notice changes in food composition.

BMC Public Health

The M.T.A. ought to be improving these railroads, not undermining them by thinking up new ways to induce people to use their cars".

The New Yorker

He called for more work to be done on the section of the line affected this week but also said an alternative route from Exeter to London via Yeovil ought to be improved.

The Guardian

Eagles fans are intrigued to see what their team can achieve under new coach Chip Kelly, but the Redskins know they can rely on a strong running game even without RG3's input, as well as a defense that ought to be improved by Brian Orapko's return from the torn pectoral muscle that wiped out his 2012 season.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought to improve", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect needs enhancement. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to improve" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "should improve" or "needs to get better" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to improve" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a suggestion or recommendation for enhancement. As per Ludwig AI, it indicates that something should or needs to be better, implying a sense of obligation or expectation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought to improve" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression suggesting a necessary or desirable enhancement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for formal and professional settings, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Alternatives like "should get better" or "needs to be enhanced" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, "ought to improve" is a reliable way to recommend or expect improvement in a specific area.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should get better

Replaces "ought to" with "should", implying a recommendation rather than a moral obligation.

needs to be enhanced

Shifts the focus to the necessity of enhancement, using a passive construction.

must be upgraded

Suggests a mandatory improvement or modernization is required.

has room for growth

Indicates potential for development and positive change.

could be refined

Focuses on improving something by making small changes.

would benefit from enhancement

Highlights the potential advantages of making something better.

is expected to progress

Emphasizes the anticipation of future advancement.

should be developed further

Suggests the necessity of further elaboration.

warrants further optimization

Proposes that something requires to be made fully effective.

is due for an upgrade

Similar to "must be upgraded" and implies a scheduled improvement.

FAQs

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

Use "ought to improve" to suggest that something needs or is expected to become better. For example, "The company's customer service ought to improve to retain clients".

What are some alternatives to "ought to improve"?

You can use alternatives like "should get better", "needs to be enhanced", or "must be upgraded" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "ought to improve"?

It is appropriate to use "ought to improve" when you want to express a moral obligation or a strong expectation that something should become better, often in formal or professional settings.

Is "ought to improve" formal or informal?

"Ought to improve" leans towards a more formal tone. In informal contexts, phrases like "should improve" or "needs to get better" might be more suitable.