How to Use ‘Ought To’: Meaning, Examples, and Usage | Easy Guide

There are many ways to express advice, obligation, or suggestion in English. One of these ways is by using “ought to.”

Ought To Meaning

“Ought to” is (a modal verb) used to express duty, obligation, or advisability. It is similar to “should,” but with a slightly stronger sense of duty. “Ought to” conveys the idea of an appropriate or advisable action. It often suggests what is right, fair, or expected in a given situation.

How to Use “Ought To”

Structure of “Ought To”: In a sentence, “ought to” is followed by the base form of a verb.

• Subject + Ought To + Verb

Examples:

• You ought to study more.
• He ought to apologize for his mistake.
• We ought to be kind to others.

When to use ‘Ought To’

Advice

When you want to guide someone or offer an opinion about what they should do, “ought to” is a great choice. It implies that you believe the action is in their best interest.

• Example: You ought to get more rest if you’re feeling tired.
• This sentence suggests that resting is the right thing to do for the person’s well-being.

Recommendation

In addition to offering advice, “ought to” can express a suggestion for a specific course of action. This is usually based on your personal opinion or experience.

• Example: He ought to see a doctor about his persistent cough.
• This sentence recommends that seeing a doctor is the appropriate course of action in this situation.

Obligation

Sometimes, “ought to” implies a moral or social obligation. It suggests what is proper, or expected behavior, according to cultural norms or ethical standards.

• Example: We ought to respect the opinions of others, even when we disagree.
• This sentence indicates that showing respect is the proper thing to do in this context.

Ought to Sentences Examples

Here are some examples of sentences that use “ought to” in different contexts. These sentences show how you can use “ought to” to express advice, recommendations, and obligations:

• You ought to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• She ought to start studying for her exams early to avoid stress later.
• He ought to try the new restaurant downtown; their food is excellent.
• They ought to explore the historic district while they’re visiting the city.
• You ought to respect other people’s privacy and personal space.
• The company ought to provide better working conditions for its employees.

Differences between “Ought To” and “Should”

“Ought to” and “should” are modal verbs and express advice, recommendations, and expectations. While they often overlap in meaning, there are subtle differences between them.

Strength of Obligation

Ought to tend to convey a stronger sense of obligation or necessity than “should.” It implies a moral duty or a strong recommendation.

For example: You ought to thank your hosts for their hospitality. This sentence suggests that expressing gratitude is not just a good idea, but also the right thing to do.

Should imply a recommendation or a suggestion, but it is not as forceful as “ought to.” It is generally softer and leaves more room for personal choice.

For example: You should thank your hosts for their hospitality. This sentence suggests that thanking the hosts is a good idea, but it doesn’t carry the same sense of obligation as “ought to.”

Formality

Ought to is often seen as more formal and is commonly used in written English or formal speech. It can sound a bit more serious and respectful. Example: The company ought to focus on employee safety in all projects.

Should is more common in everyday spoken English and informal writing. It feels more relaxed and conversational. Example: The company should focus on employee safety in all projects.

While both phrases are useful for giving advice and making recommendations, “ought to” is stronger and more formal, whereas “should” is more relaxed and common in everyday speech.

Use “ought to” when you want to convey a stronger sense of obligation or duty and use “should” for more casual suggestions or advice.

Here’s a table that outlines the key differences between “ought to” and “should”:

50 Sentences of Ought To

1. We ought to be more careful when driving.
2. She ought to study harder to get good grades.
3. You ought to be honest with your partner.
4. He ought to be more responsible with his finances.
5. They ought to be more respectful towards their teachers.
6. You ought to be more environmentally conscious.
7. She ought to take better care of her health.
8. You ought to be more punctual for work.
9. He ought to be more considerate towards others.
10. They ought to be more responsible pet owners.
11. You ought to be more grateful for what you have.
12. She ought to be more confident in herself.
13. You ought to be more patient with children.
14. He ought to be more assertive in his communication.
15. They ought to be more responsible in their relationships.
16. You ought to be more mindful of your thoughts.
17. She ought to be more organized in her work.
18. You ought to be more compassionate towards others.
19. He ought to be more disciplined in his habits.
20. They ought to be more appreciative of their friends.
21. You ought to be more responsible in your actions.
22. She ought to be more open-minded towards new ideas.
23. You ought to be more responsible in your parenting.
24. He ought to be more respectful towards women.
25. They ought to be more responsible in their leadership.
26. You ought to be more forgiving towards others.
27. She ought to be more responsible in her business dealings.
28. You ought to be more responsible in your community.
29. He ought to be more responsible in his citizenship.
30. They ought to be more responsible in their education.
31. You ought to be more responsible for your health.
32. She ought to be more responsible in her relationships.
33. You ought to be more responsible for your finances.
34. He ought to be more responsible in his career.
35. They ought to be more responsible in their leisure time.
36. You ought to be more responsible in your spirituality.
37. She ought to be more responsible in her creativity.
38. You ought to be more responsible in your communication.
39. He ought to be more responsible in his emotions.
40. They ought to be more responsible in their values.
41. You ought to be more responsible in your time management.
42. She ought to be more responsible in her decision-making.
43. You ought to be more responsible in your self-care.
44. He ought to be more responsible in his personal growth.
45. They ought to be more responsible in their social responsibility.
46. You ought to be more responsible in your global citizenship.
47. She ought to be more responsible for her legacy.
48. You ought to be more responsible in your impact.
49. He ought to be more responsible in his influence.
50. They ought to be more responsible in their contribution to society.

Conclusion

“Ought to” is a valuable phrase in everyday conversations and writing for expressing advice, recommendations, or expectations. It can be used in various contexts, such as advising a friend, offering recommendations to a client, or expressing expectations in a workplace setting. When we use “ought to,” we suggest that something is expected or required, often reflecting moral or ethical obligations.