ought
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
How often you will meet it
Rank 468 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 43,781 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.021% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
modal verb
- used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
ought in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Only, Bobby, it ought never to have happened.
The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1
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In my opinion he ought to have thought of me first.
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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Goody-good and professionally "pious" stories, sentimental or unreal stories, ought to be rigorously excluded.
Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1
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You know you ought to do some good; The friends that sent you, think you should.
Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 08, May 21, 1870 · Various · Chapter 1
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A woman ought to be gentle--if his mother had been alive--but then he was glad she wasn't.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1