ought to undergo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to undergo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone or something should experience a particular process or change. Example: "The patient ought to undergo a thorough examination before any treatment is decided."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In case (1) the obvious answer is that the mother ought to undergo the treatment since her actual child will thereby get a better life.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Conversely, whoever wrote "It is not bulky either as it just extends a little at the bottom" in the product description ought to immediately undergo a workplace evaluation.

TechCrunch

The research team was interested in coming up with a set of medical guidelines for determining who ought to be allowed to undergo what were then called sex reassignment surgeries (now more accurately and respectfully referred to as gender confirmation surgeries).

Huffington Post

It ought to!

TechCrunch

In the present study, a definitive conclusion that critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation ought to receive prophylaxis with H2RA or sucralfate to prevent clinically important GI bleeding could not be established.

Critical Care

Two weeks ago it ruled that the general ought to be interrogated without delay, then last week it ordered that he be should undergo medical tests first.

The New York Times

He ought to know.

The New York Times

We ought to.

The New Yorker

Someone ought to.

Independent

It ought to be.

Independent

She ought to qualify.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to undergo" when you want to express a moral obligation or a strong recommendation. Consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Remember to pair it with an action that is beneficial or necessary.

Common error

While "ought to" and "should" are often interchangeable, "ought to" carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation. Avoid using "ought to" in very informal contexts where "should" would be more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to undergo" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing advice, recommendation, or moral obligation regarding a particular action or process. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to undergo" is grammatically correct and usable for expressing a strong recommendation or moral obligation. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it suggests that someone or something should experience a specific process or procedure. While less common than alternatives like "should undergo", it's most appropriate for formal contexts. When choosing the best alternative, consider the nuance you wish to convey and the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should undergo

Replaces "ought to" with the more common and slightly less formal "should".

must undergo

Indicates a stronger sense of necessity than "ought to".

needs to undergo

Emphasizes the requirement for a process or treatment.

is advised to undergo

Formally suggests a course of action, often in medical contexts.

is recommended to undergo

Similar to "is advised to undergo", but implies a formal recommendation.

is expected to undergo

Suggests that a certain process is anticipated or planned.

is required to undergo

Indicates a mandatory process or treatment.

has to undergo

An informal way of expressing necessity, similar to "must undergo".

is bound to undergo

Suggests a high probability or inevitability of experiencing the process.

might benefit from undergoing

Suggests a potential positive outcome from experiencing the process.

FAQs

What does "ought to undergo" mean?

The phrase "ought to undergo" suggests that someone or something should experience a specific process or procedure, often implying a moral obligation or strong recommendation.

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

It is appropriate to use "ought to undergo" when expressing a strong recommendation or moral obligation, particularly in formal or serious contexts. Alternatives such as "should undergo" may be suitable for less formal situations.

What are some alternatives to "ought to undergo"?

Some alternatives include "should undergo", "must undergo", and "needs to undergo". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "ought to undergo" more formal than "should undergo"?

Yes, "ought to undergo" is generally considered more formal and carries a stronger sense of moral obligation than "should undergo". Use "ought to" when you want to emphasize the importance or necessity of the action.