or is something like "as they are aught to do"?
2006-10-23 18:41:15 · 10 answers · asked by quintessence 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It's possible you mean "as they are apt [meaning 'likely'] to do".
But more likely you mean the expression, "as they are WONT to do" [meaning 'as they are accustomed to doing'/'...used to doing']
In fact, it's difficult to find the word "wont" used outside the construction "is/are/am wont to [+ main verb]".
(Note also that the word is NOT "want", though the words may be pronounced the same way.)
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see dictionary entries for "wont", e.g.,
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=wont
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wont
2006-10-23 19:03:49 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"novacained_eskimo" is correct. "oft" is an archaic word which shows up often in Shakespeare dramas, etc. I have heard this phrase used and it does mean "As they are known to do, As they do often, As is their nature."
2006-10-24 00:29:47 · answer #2 · answered by Nénuphar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
Is the expression: "as they are oft to do"?
or is something like "as they are aught to do"?
2015-08-23 20:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what you intend to express.
"As they are oft to do" is very formal, 19th century speak, for "as they often do."
"As they are aught to do" makes no sense because "aught" means "anything whatever." You might mean "as they ought to do."
Another possibility is: As they are wont to do. (Note it is NOT "As they are want to do.") It means "as they are likely to do" or "as they are accustomed to do."
2006-10-23 19:00:18 · answer #4 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Common Sense is something the Republicans did not have, and Common Sense is something the Democrats do not have enough to solve the Common Sense problems that are ruining America.
2016-03-13 05:29:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you mean "as they are wont to do".
2006-10-24 02:10:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is "as they aught to do."
"as they are oft to do" sounds past-tense while aught is current and drop the "are".
2006-10-23 18:47:27 · answer #7 · answered by Mav 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think it's, "As they are apt to do to," meaning as they are prone to do. But what exactly are you trying to say?
2006-10-23 18:44:33 · answer #8 · answered by elk312 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its means they do it a lot...oft is short for often
2006-10-23 20:37:58 · answer #9 · answered by novacained_eskimo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought it was "as they are want to do"
2006-10-23 18:43:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋