it should be working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should be working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an expectation that something is functioning properly or as intended. Example: "I checked the system, and it should be working now after the recent updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He added that the departure "weakens the board when it should be working flat out," to prepare the airline for its privatization.

Forbes

A spokeswoman said it should be working by next week.

The New York Times - Arts

It should be working now the show has opened, unless it has bricked itself.

The Guardian - Arts

And it should be working with fans groups to speak out against the BSkyB bid.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Michael Mulgrew, the United Federation of Teachers president, said that the city's goal was too conservative, and that it should be working to recoup money from previous years.

The New York Times

It's important as well to remember that the foolish risk-taking of lenders, investment banks, and others that led to these troubles don't reflect our free market as it should be working.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It should be worked out within one's own conscience, within one's own faith, within one's own heart, within one's own faith community.

The New Yorker

Ms Harman, Labour's deputy leader, said change was needed but that it should be worked out on a cross-party basis.

BBC

A special insolvency regime would give the Treasury time to figure out whether the unsecured debt of the institutions should be worked out, and how it should be worked out; it also allows a more orderly workout of CDS and other credit derivatives issued by the financial institution.

Forbes

"Our issue is that it should be worked out within each individual company," Ryan continued.

Vice

It should be worked out in more detail.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it should be working", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject, for instance, "The new software should be working after the update."

Common error

Avoid using "it should be working" without a clear indication of what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Instead of saying, "It should be working", specify the subject: "The printer should be working now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should be working" functions as an expression of expectation or assumption about the operational status of something. Examples on Ludwig show its common use in contexts where a system, device, or process is expected to be functional.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it should be working" is a common expression used to indicate an expectation or assumption that something is functioning correctly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science-related content. While it is considered neutral in register, it's advisable to ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it is expected to work" or "it is operational" can be used for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is in working order

Highlights the present state of functionality.

it is expected to work

Formal alternative focusing on expectation.

it is operational

A concise and formal way to state that something is working.

it ought to be functional

Replaces "should" with "ought", emphasizing obligation.

it performs correctly

Highlights accuracy and proper execution.

it functions as intended

Focuses on fulfilling the designed purpose.

it is supposed to be running

Emphasizes the active state of operation.

it is up and running

Informal and emphasizes that something is successfully started.

it is designed to operate

Focuses on the intended operational design.

it is ready for use

Emphasizes the availability and preparedness for operation.

FAQs

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

You can use "it should be working" to express an expectation that something is functional. For example: "I installed the update, so the application "it should be working" now."

What can I say instead of "it should be working"?

You can use alternatives like "it is expected to work", "it ought to be functional", or "it is operational" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it should be working" or "it should work"?

"It should be working" implies a continuous action or state, while "it should work" suggests a future action or a general capability. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it should be working" and "it is working"?

"It should be working" expresses an expectation or assumption that something is functional. "It is working" states a current fact of functionality.