ought to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a recommendation or obligation regarding someone's departure or exit from a situation. Example: "You ought to leave before the traffic gets worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They ought to leave!" proclaim the disgruntled.

The Guardian

And she thought that she ought to leave.

The New Yorker

That is a relief, but it ought to leave them more nervous than happy.

The Economist

FOR those keen on environmental sustainability, eating fish ought to leave a bad taste.

The Economist

A small number believed that the Confederacy ought to leave the holiday behind.

The New York Times

He goes, "Well hell, we ought to leave him a ticket".

The New York Times

He ought to leave flowers where people were killed," Demirtas said in Istanbul.

The Guardian

Karickhoff estimated that 95percentt of people who have floaters ought to leave them alone.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A reconfiguration of British politics – with Jeremy Corbyn's Labour moving leftward and a radical rightwing Tory agenda – ought, perhaps, to leave room for a third-way English party.

The Guardian - Opinion

If medium-range forces are to be the centerpiece of the next summit talks, then the Administration ought either to leave SALT II in place or, second best, negotiate some kind of mutual agreement on interim restraint.

The New York Times

Her husband's departure was bittersweet no matter how gallant the cause: "You ought not to left me in the fix I am in & all these little helpless children to take care of".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to leave" when you want to convey a sense of moral obligation or advisability, rather than a strict command. It's often used to suggest the best course of action in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to leave" when a stronger or weaker modal verb is more appropriate. For instance, use "must leave" for a strict requirement or "should leave" for a softer suggestion. The subtle difference lies in the strength of the recommendation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to leave" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or moral obligation. It is used to suggest the best course of action, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ought to leave" is a modal verb phrase that advises or recommends a specific action, primarily departure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, especially in news, science, and encyclopedias. While it conveys a sense of moral obligation or advisability, be mindful of stronger or weaker alternatives like "must leave" or "should leave" to precisely match the intended strength of your recommendation. Using "ought to leave" effectively requires understanding its subtle nuance in conveying advisability over strict command.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should depart

A more common and slightly less formal way to express the same recommendation.

need to exit

Emphasizes the necessity of leaving a situation.

must go

Expresses a stronger obligation or requirement to leave.

have to withdraw

Suggests a formal or strategic retreat.

should bail out

An informal way to say someone should leave a difficult situation.

it's time to go

Indicates that the appropriate moment for departure has arrived.

are required to exit

A formal expression indicating a mandatory departure.

it would be best to leave

A softer recommendation, suggesting the advantages of leaving.

it's advisable to depart

Suggests leaving is a prudent course of action.

are expected to withdraw

Implies that there's an external expectation for someone to leave.

FAQs

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

You can use "ought to leave" to express a recommendation or obligation. For instance, "You "ought to leave" before the traffic gets worse" suggests it's advisable to leave soon.

What's a less formal alternative to "ought to leave"?

A less formal alternative to "ought to leave" is "should leave". While both convey a recommendation, "should" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Is there a stronger alternative to "ought to leave"?

Yes, "must leave" is a stronger alternative to "ought to leave", indicating a higher degree of necessity or obligation.

What is the difference between "ought to leave" and "have to leave"?

"Ought to leave" implies a moral or advisable action, while "have to leave" suggests an external obligation or requirement.