CEFR B1

ought

modal verb

Meaning

Used to express obligation or what is right or correct.

Examples

You ought to apologize for what you said.
We ought to leave now if we want to catch the train.

Synonyms: should, must, need to, have to

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ought (B1)

modal verb

Pronunciation: /ɔːt/

Definition

Used to express obligation or what is right or correct.

Examples

You ought to apologize for what you said.
We ought to leave now if we want to catch the train.

How to Use ought

ought to (prepositional phrase): Used to express obligation, duty, or what is considered correct or advisable. — "You ought to study harder if you want to pass the exam."
ought not to (prepositional phrase): Used to express that something is not advisable or not correct. — "He ought not to speak to his parents like that."
ought to have (prepositional phrase): Used to express a past obligation or expectation that was not fulfilled. — "I ought to have called her yesterday, but I forgot."

Synonyms of ought

Words with a similar meaning to ought:

Antonyms of ought

Words with the opposite meaning to ought:

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