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

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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

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

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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

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Is ought a common word in American English?

2 Answers2