ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ought to

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to say what is the right or best thing to do. It is also used to say that something is likely to happen.

fixed phr.. a semi-modal verb used to express duty, moral obligation, or advisability; it can also indicate a strong probability or expectation based on logic.


SIMPLE

You ought to call your mother more often.

CONTEXTUAL

We ought to leave now if we want to catch the last train home.

COMPLEX

The government ought to have anticipated the economic downturn given the volatility of the global markets over the preceding months.

Usage

followed by the bare infinitive with 'to'; it is less common in questions and negatives than 'should'.

Teaching tip

teach this as a synonym for 'should' but note that 'ought to' carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or external expectation.

Pitfall

You ought call him.You ought to call him.unlike most modal verbs, 'ought' requires the particle 'to' before the main verb.

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