ought (1) definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

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.