Ought is used with another verb to show duty, advice, or what is the right or sensible thing to do.
From Old English “ahte,” the past tense of “agan” meaning “to own, to owe.” It shifted from the idea of owing something to the idea of moral duty or obligation.
Hidden inside ‘ought’ is the idea of a debt—you ‘owe’ it to someone or to yourself to act a certain way. That’s why ‘ought’ feels stronger than casual advice; it quietly carries the weight of obligation.
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