ought to

English

Verb

ought to

  1. (auxiliary) Indicating duty or obligation.
  2. (auxiliary) Indicating advisability or prudence.
  3. (auxiliary) Indicating desirability.
  4. (auxiliary) Indicating likelihood or probability.

Usage notes
  • See ought for fuller examples and usage.
  • Many sources consider that ought to is the basic modal verb form. However, many examples of the use of ought without to as a basic modal auxiliary verb are to be found in common use.

See also
  • aught
  • ought
  • Appendix:English modal verbs
  • Appendix:English tag questions
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