Ought We use ought in three main ways: • to express the view that something is the right thing to do, because it’s morally correct, polite, or someone’s duty: You ought to admit that you made a mistake. They ought not to be allowed to damage property without paying compensation. • to predict that something is fairly likely or expected, based on normal circumstances or logic: Our long-delayed mail is on the way from France and ought to arrive today. The weather oughtn’t to be cold in May. • to offer or ask for advice or recommendations: If you haven’t read the book then you ought to see the movie. What ought to be done to improve things?
