How Do You Spell OUGHT TO?

Pronunciation: [ˈɔːt tuː] (IPA)

The phrase "ought to" is commonly used to express the idea of obligation or duty. But have you ever wondered about the spelling of this phrase? In IPA phonetic transcription, "ought" is pronounced as /ɔːt/ and "to" is pronounced as /tuː/. The origin of the word "ought" comes from Old English "ahte," which was spelled with a "gh" at the end to indicate a guttural sound. Over time, the "gh" was dropped but the spelling of "ought" remained the same. So now you know- "ought to" is spelled the way it is because of its Old English roots.

OUGHT TO Meaning and Definition

1. "Ought to" is a phrase used to express an obligation, duty, or moral expectation. It suggests that something is morally, socially, or logically right and should be done or followed. It implies a sense of responsibility or a recommendation for appropriate behavior or actions.

   When used in the context of obligation, "ought to" often indicates that an action is expected or required based on a moral code, social norms, or personal integrity. It embodies a sense of what is morally correct or ethically acceptable. For example, someone might say, "You ought to apologize for your mistake," emphasizing the appropriate course of action based on social conventions and taking responsibility for one's actions.

   Additionally, "ought to" can be employed to express recommendations or rational expectations. It highlights suggestions or advice that are considered advantageous or advisable. For instance, a parent might say, "You ought to study for your exam," implying that it is a wise and beneficial course of action.

   The phrase "ought to" places emphasis on the significance of adhering to morals, obligations, or advantageous behavior. It aims to encourage individuals to fulfill their responsibilities, follow societal expectations, or make choices that are likely to lead to favorable outcomes. By using this phrase, speakers indicate a strong sense of duty, propriety, or guidance when expressing what should be done or followed.

Common Misspellings for OUGHT TO

• iught to
• kught to
• lught to
• pught to
• 0ught to
• 9ught to
• oyght to
• ohght to
• ojght to
• oight to
• o8ght to
• o7ght to
• oufht to
• ouvht to
• oubht to
• ouhht to
• ouyht to
• outht to
• ouggt to
• ougbt to
• oughtto

Etymology of OUGHT TO

The word "ought to" originated from Old English, where it was actually two separate words: "ought" and "to".

The word "ought" comes from the Old English word "āhte", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*ahtiz". It originally meant "to possess" or "to have", but over time, its meaning shifted to express moral obligation or duty.

The word "to" is the preposition that indicates direction or movement towards something.

In Middle English, "āhte" evolved into "oughte", which eventually merged with "to" to form "ought to" as we know it today. Its meaning has consistently conveyed a sense of obligation or duty, suggesting that something should be done or is necessary.

Idioms with the word OUGHT TO

• no better than (one) ought to be The definition of the idiom "no better than (one) ought to be" is that someone's behavior or actions are not morally or socially acceptable, usually implying that they are behaving badly or in a disreputable manner. It suggests that the person is not living up to the expected standard or behaving in a manner befitting their position or character.
• There ought to be a law! The idiom "There ought to be a law!" is used to express strong dissatisfaction or discontent with a particular situation or behavior, and the speaker believes that there should be a formal rule or regulation to address or prevent it. It implies a belief that a specific action or behavior is wrong or problematic, and it needs to be legally enforced to ensure compliance or find a solution.

Similar spelling words for OUGHT TO

• ought,
• OUGHTA.