grammar · neutral

ought to + base verb

Band 7+speakingtask2

'Ought to + base verb' is used to give advice or express duty and moral obligation; similar to 'should' but slightly more formal.

Examples

“You ought to tell the truth; it's the right thing to do.”

“They ought to review the policy before implementing it.”

“She ought not to ignore such clear evidence.”

Band 8 sentence

“Given the environmental impact report, policymakers ought to reconsider the development plan before granting permission.”

Collocations

  • ought to + V (affirmative)
  • ought not to + V (negative)

Common mistakes

You ought to not smoke here.→You ought not to smoke here.

They ought review the policy.→They ought to review the policy.

Say it for a higher band

5have to + V→6should + V→7+ought to + base verb

Synonyms

should

Easily confused

should + base verb

“You should apologise to her.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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