this ought to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this ought to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an expectation or belief that something should be a certain way or meet a particular standard. Example: "Given the circumstances, this ought to be the best solution we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This ought to be straightforward.

The Economist

This ought to be fascinating.

The Guardian - Arts

This ought to be charming.

The New York Times - Arts

This ought to be great.

The Guardian - Arts

This ought to be an eye-opener….

MIT Technology Review

This ought to be rich subject matter.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps this ought to be done.

The New York Times

This ought to be good news.

The Guardian

This ought to be Labour's moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This ought to be our busiest time of the year.

The New York Times

This ought to be a triumph for Turkish democracy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this ought to be" to express a reasonable expectation or a course of action that logically follows from the circumstances. It conveys a slightly more formal tone than "this should be".

Common error

Avoid using "this ought to be" excessively in casual conversation. In informal settings, phrases like "this should be" or "this is expected to be" sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this ought to be" functions as a modal construction expressing expectation, advisability, or logical necessity. It combines a demonstrative pronoun (this), a modal verb (ought), the infinitive marker (to), and the verb be to indicate a predicted or desired state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this ought to be" is a grammatically sound construction used to express expectation, advisability, or logical necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence in news, science, and business contexts. While similar to "this should be", it carries a slightly more formal tone. Consider using related phrases like "this is expected to be" for different shades of meaning. When writing, be mindful of the formality level and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this should be

Expresses a similar expectation or likelihood, using a more common modal verb.

this is expected to be

Formal rephrasing focusing on expectation rather than obligation.

this is likely to be

Indicates a high probability of something occurring.

this is supposed to be

Suggests an arrangement or plan that is expected to happen.

it is advisable to

Changes the focus to recommending a certain action.

it would be wise to

Emphasizes the prudence of a particular course of action.

it is recommended that

Presents a formal suggestion or guideline.

one would expect this to be

Introduces a sense of general anticipation or customary practice.

it is reasonable to assume

Shifts the focus to a logical deduction or inference.

it stands to reason that

Highlights the logical coherence or inevitability of a conclusion.

FAQs

How does "this ought to be" differ from "this should be"?

"This ought to be" and "this should be" are often interchangeable, but "this ought to be" carries a slightly more formal or prescriptive tone. "Should" is more versatile and common in everyday language, while "ought to" can sound more like a moral or logical imperative.

When is it appropriate to use "this ought to be"?

Use "this ought to be" when you want to express an expectation that is based on reason, duty, or logical consequence. It's suitable for formal writing, professional communication, or when emphasizing a sense of obligation.

What are some alternatives to "this ought to be"?

Alternatives include "this should be", "this is expected to be", or "this is likely to be" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Can "this ought to be" be used in questions?

While grammatically possible, using "this ought to be" in question form is rare and can sound awkward. It's more common to rephrase the question using alternatives like "should this be...?" or "is this expected to be...?" for clarity and naturalness.