we ought to strive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we ought to strive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a moral obligation or a recommendation to make an effort towards a goal or ideal. Example: "In order to create a better future for our children, we ought to strive for sustainability and environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A way of life we ought to strive to achieve.

Huffington Post

We ought to strive to turn this crisis into an opportunity to overcome fear and hatred.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rather, marketers ought to strive "to make it much more about empathy," he added, "to say: 'We understand what's going on.

The New York Times

Though Freud was never given to preaching, his guidance was surely that anyone aspiring to think in a clear-headed fashion ought to strive hard to be honest about his or her emotional biases.

The New York Times

After all, any business ought to strive to produce a product or offer a service that is so good or necessary that customers will keep on using it even after a price increase.

The New York Times

The supply-side notion is that what the govt. ought to strive to influence is not the demand but supply-not the amount of money that consumers have to spend on goods & services but, rather, the amount of incentive that producers are given to engage in productive enterprise.

The New Yorker

An ideal system in this sense is a goal toward which a person or society ought to strive (even if it is not perfectly attainable in practice) and a standard against which the moral worth of what has been achieved, or of what exists, can be measured.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, if the account is prescriptive, then it actually makes more sense to consider persons to be disunified, if what they ought to strive for is greater unity.

SEP

Accepting basic equal human worth, one might cheerfully maintain that the correct ethic is egoism, that each person ought to strive to bring about her own advantage as best she can.

SEP

Nussle explained that the government ought to strive to do more with less.

Huffington Post

The Directive Principles may be classified under the following categories: ideals that the State ought to strive towards achieving; directions for the exercise of legislative and executive power; and rights of the citizens which the State must aim towards securing.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we ought to strive" when you want to express a strong recommendation or moral obligation to make an effort towards a specific goal. It suggests a commitment to achieving something important.

Common error

Avoid using "ought to" excessively in casual conversations. In informal settings, alternatives like "should" or "need to" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

"We ought to strive" functions as a prescriptive phrase, expressing a recommendation or moral imperative. It implies that a certain action or goal is desirable and should be pursued with effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It is found in contexts where guidance or exhortation is being provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we ought to strive" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong recommendation or moral obligation to pursue a particular goal diligently. While relatively formal, it finds its place in news, media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, though its relatively low frequency suggests considering simpler alternatives like "we should aim to" or "we should endeavor to" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we should endeavor to

Uses 'endeavor' implying a serious or determined effort, which is slightly more formal than 'strive'.

we should aim to

Replaces 'ought to' with 'should', which is a weaker form of obligation. 'Aim' is less intense than 'strive'.

we must aspire to

Emphasizes a high goal or ambition. 'Aspire' implies a desire for something elevated.

we need to work towards

Focuses on the effort needed, highlighting the process rather than the moral obligation.

it is our duty to pursue

Stresses the moral responsibility, framing the action as a duty.

we are compelled to seek

Suggests an external force or strong internal drive is pushing the action.

we are called to pursue

Implies a higher calling or purpose, adding a spiritual or moral dimension.

we have to try to

Presents the idea as a necessity, but with less force than the original.

it's important to pursue

Shifts the emphasis to the importance of the action, rather than the obligation.

we want to achieve

Expresses a desire or ambition without the element of obligation.

FAQs

What does "we ought to strive" mean?

The phrase "we ought to strive" means that we should make a significant effort towards achieving a particular goal or ideal. It suggests a sense of duty or moral obligation.

What are some alternatives to "we ought to strive"?

You can use alternatives like "we should aim to", "we should endeavor to", or "we must aspire to", depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "we ought to strive"?

The phrase "we ought to strive" is relatively formal. In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we should try to" or "we need to work towards".

Is "we ought to strive" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we ought to strive" is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English to express a moral obligation or a recommendation to make an effort towards a goal or ideal.