ought — used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɔːt/
Example Sentences
- You ought to clean your room - it looks like a tornado hit it!
- Students ought to study regularly, not just before exams.
- I ought to go to bed early, but here I am watching cat videos at midnight.
ought
VERB[/ɔːt/]
used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions
used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'ahte' or 'oughte', the past tense of 'agan' meaning 'to owe' or 'to possess'. This evolved from Proto-Germanic roots related to owing or obligation.
Breakdown
ough- (base form related to owe/obligation) + -t (past tense marker) = ought (archaic past tense that became modal auxiliary expressing duty or expectation)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“You ought to clean your room - it looks like a tornado hit it!”
“Students ought to study regularly, not just before exams.”
“I ought to go to bed early, but here I am watching cat videos at midnight.”
“This medicine ought to help with your headache.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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