How to Master ‘Ought to + Bare Infinitive’ for IELTS Success?

‘Ought To + Bare Infinitive’ is a crucial grammatical structure that often appears in IELTS exams. Understanding its proper usage can significantly enhance your performance across all sections of the test. Let’s dive deep into this structure and explore how to effectively apply it in your IELTS journey.

What Does ‘Ought to + Bare Infinitive’ Mean?

The ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ structure is used to express moral obligation, duty, or advice. It’s similar in meaning to ‘should’ but carries a stronger sense of obligation. This structure frequently appears in IELTS reading passages and can be effectively used in writing and speaking tasks to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency.

Here are some examples of how this structure might appear in different parts of the IELTS test:

1. Reading: “Experts argue that governments ought to invest more in renewable energy sources.”
2. Listening: “The career advisor suggested that students ought to consider internships during their summer breaks.”
3. Writing Task 2: “In my opinion, individuals ought to take responsibility for their environmental impact.”
4. Speaking Part 3: “I believe companies ought to prioritize employee wellbeing over short-term profits.”
5. Writing Task 1: “The graph indicates that policymakers ought to focus on improving public transportation infrastructure.”

Ought to + Bare Infinitive Structure

Grammar Rules and Usage in IELTS

Formula and Syntax

The basic structure is:

Subject + ought to + bare infinitive

It’s crucial to remember that ‘ought to’ is always followed by the bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without ‘to’). This is a common point of confusion for IELTS candidates.

Application in IELTS Sections

1. IELTS Reading:
   Recognizing this structure can help you quickly grasp the author’s stance on obligations or recommendations. For example:
   “Researchers argue that governments ought to implement stricter regulations on plastic production.”

2. IELTS Listening:
   Being familiar with ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ can aid in understanding advice or suggestions in conversations. For instance:
   “The financial advisor mentioned that young professionals ought to start saving for retirement early.”

3. IELTS Writing:
   Using this structure in your essays can demonstrate a sophisticated command of English. For Task 2, you might write:
   “In my view, educational institutions ought to incorporate more practical skills into their curricula.”

4. IELTS Speaking:
   Employing ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ in your responses can showcase your advanced language skills. In Part 3, you could say:
   “I believe that local authorities ought to provide more support for small businesses in urban areas.”

Sample Passages and Analysis

Let’s examine some sample passages that effectively use ‘ought to + bare infinitive’:

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 sample:
   “In today’s rapidly changing job market, individuals ought to continuously update their skills to remain competitive. Furthermore, companies ought to invest in employee training programs to ensure their workforce stays relevant.”

   Analysis: This passage uses the structure twice, demonstrating a strong grasp of the grammar and applying it to provide clear recommendations in the context of employment.

2. IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample:
   “When describing my ideal job, I believe it ought to offer opportunities for personal growth. Moreover, the company ought to value work-life balance and ought to encourage innovation among its employees.”

   Analysis: Here, the candidate uses the structure three times, showcasing their ability to use it fluently in spoken English while discussing workplace preferences.

3. IELTS Reading passage excerpt:
   “Environmental scientists argue that governments ought to implement stricter regulations on industrial emissions. They also suggest that consumers ought to reconsider their purchasing habits to reduce their carbon footprint.”

   Analysis: This passage demonstrates how ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ might appear in a reading text, expressing expert opinions and recommendations.

Strategies for High Band Scores

To achieve a high band score in IELTS, it’s not just about using ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ correctly, but also about using it appropriately and in conjunction with other advanced structures. Here’s how you can elevate your usage:

1. Combine with conditionals:
   “If we aim to create a sustainable future, we ought to prioritize renewable energy sources.”

2. Use in complex sentences:
   “While some argue that individual actions are insignificant, I believe that every person ought to take responsibility for their environmental impact, as collective efforts can lead to significant change.”

3. Pair with idiomatic expressions:
   “In this dog-eat-dog world, fresh graduates ought to hit the ground running and continuously enhance their skills.”

4. Contrast with other modal verbs:
   “Although employees should maintain a work-life balance, during critical projects, they ought to be willing to put in extra hours if necessary.”

5. Use in passive constructions:
   “In light of recent findings, these outdated policies ought to be revised immediately.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using ‘to’ after ‘ought to’:
   Incorrect: “We ought to to study harder.”
   Correct: “We ought to study harder.”

2. Using it for past obligations:
   Incorrect: “They ought to gone to the meeting yesterday.”
   Correct: “They ought to have gone to the meeting yesterday.”

3. Confusing with ‘should’:
   While ‘ought to’ and ‘should’ are similar, ‘ought to’ implies a stronger sense of obligation. Use ‘ought to’ when you want to emphasize the importance or moral necessity of an action.

4. Overusing in informal contexts:
   ‘Ought to’ can sound formal or old-fashioned in casual conversation. In IELTS Speaking, use it judiciously alongside more common expressions.

5. Forgetting the negative form:
   The negative form is ‘ought not to’ or ‘oughtn’t to’, not ‘don’t ought to’.
   Correct: “Companies ought not to prioritize profits over employee wellbeing.”

Conclusion

Mastering the ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance across all sections. Remember to use it to express strong recommendations or moral obligations, and practice incorporating it into complex sentences and alongside other advanced grammatical structures. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, try to identify this structure in reading passages, use it in your writing tasks, and incorporate it naturally in your speaking responses. With consistent practice, you’ll find that using ‘ought to + bare infinitive’ becomes second nature, helping you to achieve that desired high band score.

To further improve your skills, consider practicing with past IELTS questions that involve giving advice or discussing societal obligations. Topics like environmental protection, education reform, or workplace ethics are particularly suitable for employing this structure effectively.