should are

USAGE SUMMARY

'should are' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You should instead use either 'should be' or 'should have been', depending on the context. For example: "The project should have been completed by now." or "The project should be completed by tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

You don't rise to the top of the intelligence community by asking whether "can" and "should" are always the same.

The New Yorker

Sinuous mountain roads, the sort that flummox the V8 more than they should, are where the diesel really shines although it's a laid-back cruiser, too.

Independent

"These girls, who by fleeing the war in Syria have already been subjected to more than any child should, are at extreme risk of mental health issues resulting from social isolation, stress and abuse".

The Guardian

Administration officials, as they should, are working behind the scenes to calm political disputes among Mr. Maliki and Sunni and Kurdish leaders and to create better relations between Iraq and other countries in the region.

The New York Times

Within 50 years the prevalence of HIV would drop below 1%, compared with up to 30% at the moment in the worst-affected areas.Whether such an approach could be made to work in practice and if it could, whether it should—are two other questions.

The Economist

These schools that are not scoring as well as they should are under a pretty close microscope".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

agreement, should be signed.

The New York Times

It should be ours.

The New Yorker

It should be absurd.

The New York Times

It should be intuitive.

The Economist

"I should be here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your grammar when using modal verbs like "should". Ensure the correct auxiliary verb ("be" or "have been") follows to maintain grammatical accuracy. Consider the context of the sentence to choose "should be" for present/future or "should have been" for past expectations.

Common error

A common mistake is using "should are" instead of the correct form "should be". This error often arises from overlooking the proper conjugation of the verb "to be" after the modal verb "should". Remember that "should" requires the base form of the verb, which is "be", not "are".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should are" functions incorrectly as it attempts to combine a modal verb ("should") with an incorrect form of the verb "to be". Standard English grammar requires "should" to be followed by the base form "be", not "are". Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should are" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "should be" for present/future expectations or "should have been" for past expectations. While "should are" appears in some contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, it is not considered standard English. Always use "should be" or "should have been" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is deemed incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be

Replaces the incorrect "are" with the correct "be" to express obligation or expectation in the present or future.

should have been

Uses "should have been" to refer to an obligation or expectation that was not met in the past.

ought to be

Substitutes "should" with "ought to" to convey a similar sense of moral obligation or advisability.

must be

Replaces "should" with "must" to express a stronger degree of necessity or certainty.

need to be

Uses "need to be" instead of "should be" to indicate a requirement or necessity.

are supposed to be

Expresses an expectation or agreement using "are supposed to be" in place of "should be".

are expected to be

Replaces "should" with "are expected to" to emphasize an anticipated outcome or behavior.

are advised to be

Suggests a recommendation or guidance using "are advised to be" instead of "should be".

it is recommended that they are

Replaces the phrase with a more formal construction for expressing recommendation

it is advisable that they are

Replaces the phrase with a more formal construction for expressing advisability

FAQs

What is the correct grammatical form, "should be" or "should are"?

The correct grammatical form is "should be". The phrase "should are" is grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "should have been" instead of "should be"?

Use "should have been" when referring to something that was expected or obligated to happen in the past but did not. Use "should be" for present or future expectations.

What are some alternatives to "should be" for expressing obligation or expectation?

Alternatives to "should be" include "ought to be", "must be", or "need to be", depending on the degree of necessity or expectation you want to convey.

How can I avoid using incorrect phrases like "should are"?

Always proofread your writing and pay close attention to verb conjugations, especially after modal verbs like "should". If unsure, consult a grammar guide or use a grammar checker to ensure accuracy.