verb
Common
ought
awt
Ought (verb) means used to express what is the right or sensible thing to do, or what is likely to be true. Example: “You ought to see a doctor about that cough.”
verb
1
Used to express what is the right or sensible thing to do, or what is likely to be true.
"You ought to see a doctor about that cough."
"It ought to stop raining by the afternoon."
"Children ought to get plenty of sleep before a school day."
How to use ought
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly formal way of saying "should," for duty, advice, or likelihood.
Common mistake
Always followed by "to" + verb — "you ought to go," never "you ought go."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- oughts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You _____ to see a doctor about that cough.
Etymology
From Old English āhte, an old past-tense form of "owe" — originally meaning something closer to "was obligated to."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ought
See all rhymes for ought →Frequently asked questions
What does “ought” mean?
The word “ought” means used to express what is the right or sensible thing to do, or what is likely to be true. In plain terms, a slightly formal way of saying "should," for duty, advice, or likelihood.
How do you pronounce “ought”?
“Ought” is pronounced awt (/ɔt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ought” in a sentence?
Here is “ought” used in a sentence: “You ought to see a doctor about that cough.”
What part of speech is “ought”?
“Ought” is a verb.
Where does the word “ought” come from?
The word “ought” comes from Old English. From Old English āhte, an old past-tense form of "owe" — originally meaning something closer to "was obligated to.".
Is “ought” a common word?
“Ought” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "ought" and "should"?
"Ought" and "should" both express duty, advice, or expectation and are often interchangeable, as in "you ought to rest" and "you should rest." "Ought" is slightly more formal and always takes "to" before the following verb, whereas "should" does not. In everyday speech, "should" is far more common.
Do you use "to" after "ought"?
Yes, "ought" is almost always followed by "to" plus the base verb, as in "you ought to call her." This makes it unusual, since "should," "must," and "can" are not followed by "to." The main exception is short replies where the verb is understood, such as "You ought to apologize — yes, I ought."
How do you make "ought" negative?
The negative is formed with "ought not to," as in "you ought not to worry," and the contracted "oughtn't to" appears in informal British English. In casual speech, many people avoid the negative of "ought" altogether and use "shouldn't" instead. The "to" is normally kept even in the negative.
What is the difference between "ought to" and "must"?
"Ought to" expresses advice, recommendation, or expectation, leaving the listener some choice, as in "you ought to see a doctor." "Must" expresses stronger obligation or necessity with less room for choice, as in "you must see a doctor." "Ought to" is therefore softer and less forceful than "must."
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