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ought (1)

ought [ awt ] CORE MEANING: a modal verb indicating what somebody should do
It seems to me that we ought to support their initiative.
You ought to tell her how you feel.


modal v 
Definition:
 
1. be morally right: indicates that somebody has a duty or obligation to do something or that it is morally right to do something
You ought to be ashamed of what you have done.

2. be important: indicates that something is important or a good idea
You ought to see a doctor as soon as possible.

3. be probable: indicates probability or expectation
We ought to be there by now.

4. be wished for: indicates a desire or wish
You ought to come to dinner sometime.

5. should be case: indicates that something should be the case but may not be
That ought to be easy.

[ Old English āhte, past tense of owe]

Word Usage
hadn't/shouldn't ought

: Avoid in formal writing the regional constructions (called double modal auxiliaries) didn't ought, hadn't ought, or shouldn't ought, as in They didn't ought to have done that. Use instead: They ought not to have done that. The same holds with the regional might could, as in We might could get there by three if we hurry, which is also inappropriate in standard English.

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