it should be traced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should be traced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need to follow or track something, such as a process, history, or origin. Example: "In order to understand the development of this theory, it should be traced back to its original sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "pre-scholastic" medieval period includes Abelard and Anselm and the writers of the Carolingian age, but it is difficult to say how far back this period should be traced.

SEP

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Vice

Whether these issues should be traced into the American past- — I don't know.

The New York Times

Additionally, the personal assets of the hard-liners and the leaders of the violence should be traced and frozen.

The New York Times

I-502 declares that each legal pot plant should be traced and tracked "from seed to sale".

The New Yorker

In "From Shakespeare to Pope," Gosse argued that the development of literature should be traced not only by "contemplation of the best" but also by studying the lesser writers who were part of "the spectacle of motion, of evolution".

The New Yorker

The underlying mechanisms of this failure should be traced and analyzed.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

For erosion computations, the particles should be traced inside the domain by considering the particles as the discrete phase.

Petroleum Science

The measures included in the given BSC should be traced over time, and integrated explicitly into the strategic SCM process.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The impact of requirements changes on other requirements, design elements and source code should be traced to determine parts of the software to be changed.

Journal of Systems and Software

The collections contain identified data elements that play important role as their changes over time should be traced back to documents, but that is not identical with the logging of database activities, instead it describes the actions related to document manipulation.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it should be traced", ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to. Specificity improves clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive construction "it should be traced" in favor of active voice where possible. Active voice often results in more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should be traced" functions as a passive construction indicating a recommended action. It suggests that something needs to be followed back to its origin or source for investigation or understanding. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it should be traced" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to recommend or advise that something be tracked or investigated to its origin. While versatile, its use should be considered in light of alternative, potentially more active constructions for clearer and more engaging writing. Given the limited examples available, the Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable phrase, but context and audience should guide its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it needs to be tracked

Emphasizes the necessity of following something's path or progress; "needs" implies a stronger requirement than "should".

it ought to be followed

"Ought to" suggests a moral or advisable course of action in tracking something, differing from the general recommendation of "should".

it must be investigated

"Must" indicates a higher level of obligation or necessity compared to "should", focusing on a formal inquiry.

it has to be monitored

Focuses on continuous observation and recording, shifting from tracing a path to observing ongoing activity.

it requires scrutiny

Highlights the need for careful and critical examination, altering the focus from following a path to evaluating details.

its origin should be determined

Directs attention specifically to identifying the source or beginning of something, not necessarily its entire path.

the source needs to be identified

Places emphasis on finding the initial point or cause, rather than following a process or development.

the lineage must be established

Highlights the need to define and prove a line of descent or origin, often in historical or genealogical contexts.

the progression has to be mapped

Centers around charting or outlining a course of development, distinct from merely following it.

the chain of events must be reconstructed

Emphasizes piecing together a sequence of occurrences to understand cause and effect, differing from merely following along.

FAQs

How can I use "it should be traced" in a sentence?

Use "it should be traced" when indicating that something needs to be followed back to its origin or source, such as "The error in the code should be traced back to the initial commit".

What are some alternatives to "it should be traced"?

You can use alternatives like "it needs to be tracked", "it ought to be followed", or "it must be investigated" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it should be traced" and "it must be traced"?

"It should be traced" suggests a recommendation or advisability, while "it must be traced" implies a requirement or obligation. The latter is a stronger statement.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "it should be traced"?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest that a path, origin, or sequence of events needs to be followed or investigated to understand something fully. For example, "The source of the leak should be traced to prevent further damage".