Collocations for "ought"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "ought" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
ought
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- ought to be [punished, banned, rewarded]
- ought to [see, go to, visit] a [doctor, dentist, therapist]
- ought to [win, help, stay, consider]
- ought to bring [some flowers, a bottle, a gift]
- ought not to [leave early, waste time, answer back, question the facts]
- I ought to [tell, warn] you
- (there's something) you ought to know
'ought' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
December
- November
- October
- acknowledge
- allowance
- ask
- assumption
- buy
- cover
- create
- devote
- discourage
- drill
- elaborate
- fairness
- heed
- mankind
- meat
- mood
- museum
- override
- plenty
- politician
- precisely
- respectful
- restoration
- satisfactory
- satisfied
- scrutiny
- smile
- somebody
- sufficient
- target
- top