ought to

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ministers have acknowledged already that guidance to forces is clunky and ought to be reviewed.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Similarly, a newly issued report by the Government Accountability Office External link ought to quell concerns about the quality of employment data produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which assembles the monthly jobs report.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

They know what it is and what it ought to look like.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026

If your retirement fund is not where it ought to be, then you don’t give money to family members as a gesture.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

A lot of people, like Alice Wendleken’s mother, thought the Herdmans ought to be in jail, kids or not, but I knew that wouldn’t happen.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson