ought we to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought we to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether to proceed with a particular action or course of events, often in a formal or rhetorical context. Example: "In light of the recent developments, ought we to continue with the project as planned?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't mean, as I said before, to reply particularly to any arguments, but to establish the point that we have all along acted upon foederal principles, and that we ought to continue foederal, and I have no doubt but we shall.

University of Chicago

Pointing to the city's declining crime rates -- and declining civilian complaints about police -- Kelly said, "Something is going right here, and I would respectfully suggest that we ought to continue to do the things we are doing to keep the city safe".

Huffington Post

23 As we celebrate this progress in extending lives, it is reasonable to question whether we ought to continue aiming for ever longer lives on average or should ensure that more individuals avoid premature death.

BMJ Open

That's a debate we ought to continue.

The Washington Post

"I think we ought to continue to use IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the patients with high benefit," he says.

Forbes

But this leaves open the question whether we ought to continue to traffic in anomic concepts generally, and mental concepts in particular.

SEP

"The reality is that when you ask them the question -- other than Joe Barton -- it's pretty hard to with a straight face say 'Yes, we ought to continue these subsidies for oil companies,' " Nayak said.

Huffington Post

How ought we to respond?

SEP

It does explain why or how so many biblical stories show wives being treated as less than fully human, but I do hope that people who love the Bible can admit that this is an element of it that we ought not to continue to endorse.

Huffington Post

DAVID AXELROD: Well, first of all, the President has said that that he thinks that we ought to continue those portions of the tax cuts that apply to the middle class.

Huffington Post

And these issues don't begin to address tax issues connected with partnerships, or the regressive nature of the payroll tax, or the simple matter that the wealthy have greater recourse to tax accountants and attorneys.Which isn't to say that progressives ought not to continue to fight for equalization of capital gains and income tax rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ought we to continue", consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. This phrase is more formal than alternatives like "should we continue".

Common error

Avoid using "ought we to continue" in informal settings where simpler phrases like "should we go on?" would be more suitable. Overly formal language can sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought we to continue" functions as an interrogative expression used to question the advisability or necessity of proceeding with a particular action or course. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ought we to continue" serves as a formal interrogative expression to question the advisability of continuing a course of action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively infrequent. Less formal alternatives like "should we continue" are often more suitable for everyday communication. When choosing to employ "ought we to continue", consider the context and ensure that the level of formality aligns with the intended audience and purpose. Based on current data there are no examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should we proceed

Replaces "ought" with the more common "should", making it slightly less formal.

shall we continue

Employs "shall", making it more formal and somewhat archaic.

should we keep going

Uses "keep going" to replace "continue", making it more informal and direct.

are we to continue

A more formal and somewhat rhetorical way to inquire about the continuation.

is it advisable to continue

Introduces a question of advisability, making it more cautious and formal.

is it necessary to continue

Shifts the focus to necessity, suggesting a more critical evaluation.

do we carry on

Uses the phrasal verb "carry on" instead of "continue", offering a more colloquial tone.

do we need to continue

A more direct and less formal way of questioning the need for continuation.

is continuation warranted

Presents a more formal and passive construction, focusing on whether continuation is justified.

should we persist

Replaces "continue" with "persist", suggesting a more determined effort.

FAQs

How to use "ought we to continue" in a sentence?

The phrase "ought we to continue" is used to question the necessity or advisability of proceeding with a particular action or plan. For example: "Ought we to continue investing in this project, given the recent losses?"

What can I say instead of "ought we to continue"?

You can use alternatives like "should we proceed", "should we keep going", or "do we need to continue" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ought we to continue" or "should we continue"?

Both "ought we to continue" and "should we continue" are grammatically correct. However, "ought we to continue" is more formal and less frequently used than "should we continue".

What's the difference between "ought we to continue" and "shall we continue"?

"Ought we to continue" expresses a sense of obligation or advisability, while "shall we continue" is a more formal way of making a suggestion or seeking agreement. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.