Is ought a common word in American English?

Question

Are ought and ought to used in American daily speech ? Are these words common in American English? Maybe there is any other alternativs which are being used in American English?

You ought to do some research. – Michael Harvey Jun 22 '20 at 16:39 — Michael Harvey, Jun 22 '20 at 16:39

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 22 '20 at 16:39

0

Yes, they are common. "That is something we ought to do." "You ought not think about it from that angle."

answered Jun 22 '20 at 16:39

rcook

2,596
1
10
15

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 22 '20 at 16:44

0

It isn't exactly uncommon but it's moving in that direction. "should", e.g. "He should go." rather than "He ought to go.", is the more common phrasing.

answered Jun 22 '20 at 16:44

G. Allen

116
1

Is ought a common word in American English?

2 Answers2