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- Dictionaryought/ôt/
modal
- 1. used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions: "they ought to respect the law"
- 2. used to indicate something that is probable: "five minutes ought to be enough time"
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The meaning of OUGHT is —used to express obligation, advisability, natural expectation, or logical consequence. How to use ought in a sentence.
ought modal verb [+ to infinitive] (PROBABLE) used to say that the action expressed in the verb is probable or expected: He ought to be home by seven o’clock. The curtains ought to be ready on Monday. At his age, he ought to have known better.
1. / ɔːt / verb. to indicate duty or obligation. you ought to pay your dues. to express prudent expediency. you ought to be more careful with your money. (usually with reference to future time) to express probability or expectation. you ought to finish this work by Friday. to express a desire or wish on the part of the speaker.
1.phrase B1. You use ought to to mean that it is morally right to do a particular thing or that it is morally right for a particular situation to exist, especially when giving or asking for advice or opinions. If you get something good, you ought to share it. People who own a bit of money ought to have a voice in saying where it goes.
Define ought. ought synonyms, ought pronunciation, ought translation, English dictionary definition of ought. should; duty or obligation: You ought to go to the memorial service. Not to be confused with: aught – anything whatever; any part: for aught I know; a...
OUGHT definition: 1. used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do: 2. used to say that you expect…. Learn more.
Jun 2, 2024 · ought (plural oughts) A statement of what ought to be the case as contrasted with what is the case.
OED's earliest evidence for ought is from 1678, in the writing of Ralph Cudworth, philosopher and theologian. It is also recorded as a verb from the Old English period (pre-1150). ought is formed within English, by conversion.
to express a desire or wish on the part of the speaker: you ought to come next week; Etymology: Old English āhte, past tense of āgan to owe; related to Gothic aihta USAGE In correct English, ought is not used with did or had. I ought not to do it, not I didn't ought to do it; I ought not to have done it, not I hadn't ought to have done it
used to say what you advise or recommend. We ought to be leaving now. This is delicious. You ought to try some. You ought to have come to the meeting.
