ought

oughtmodal verb

Ought, almost always followed by to, says that something is the right or sensible thing to do, or that it is likely to be true.

1. the right thingused with to and a base verb to say that something is the right, sensible, or expected thing to do

   Close in meaning to should, though a little more formal and less common in everyday speech. Unlike most modals, ought is always followed by to.

   verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf]

   • You ought to apologize to her. V + to-inf
   • We ought to leave soon if we want to catch the train. V + to-inf
   • Drivers ought to slow down near schools. V + to-inf
   • You oughtn't to speak to her like that. V + to-inf (negative)

   Synonyms should (should is more common in everyday speech; ought to sounds a little more formal)

   Compare should; must (must shows a stronger, often outside obligation; ought to is closer to advice)

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Ought is the one common modal followed by to before the base verb: ought to go, not ought go. The negative keeps to as well: ought not to, not ought not.

2. likely trueused with to and a base verb to say that something is likely or expected, based on what is known

   Close in meaning to should used for a confident guess. Also used with have and a past participle for something expected in the past.

   verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf]

   • The package ought to arrive by Friday. V + to-inf
   • That ought to be enough sugar for the recipe. V + to-inf
   • The bus ought to have arrived by now.

   Synonyms should

   Compare should

See also should (the far more common word for the same two meanings)