should arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an expectation or prediction about the arrival of something or someone. Example: "The package should arrive by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Navalny should arrive in Moscow on Saturday.

The New Yorker

The bride herself should arrive at 11am.

Independent

It, too, should arrive next September.

The Economist

Replacement wrenches should arrive by mail.

The New York Times

That means it should arrive about 6pm in the UK.

Independent

Mr. Jelinek said those cars should arrive by November.

The New York Times

(Same-day registrants should arrive between 8 and 9 a.m).

The New York Times - Arts

The capsule should arrive home in August 2014.

The Guardian

Vouchers should arrive around 2 weeks before your book expires.

The Guardian

They should arrive between 5-6pm, local time.

The Guardian - Sport

The second Stone Roses album should arrive soon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should arrive", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the expectation. Avoid using it when the arrival is purely speculative or lacks any supporting evidence. For example, it's better to say "The package should arrive by Tuesday, according to the tracking information" than "The package should arrive sometime this week".

Common error

Avoid using "should arrive" for events where there is no real basis for expectation. Saying something "should arrive" implies a reasonable degree of certainty based on available information. If it's purely wishful thinking, use phrases like "might arrive" or "could arrive" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should arrive" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing expectation or prediction. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it indicates a planned or anticipated event based on reasonable grounds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should arrive" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an expectation or prediction about a future arrival. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, ensure the expectation is substantiated to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "is expected to arrive" or "is due to arrive" offer similar meanings, with slight variations in formality. When you want to express reasonable confidence about something or someone arriving at the estimated time, "should arrive" can be considered a solid option to convey your confidence on the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to arrive

Replaces "should" with a more explicit expression of expectation.

is anticipated to arrive

Similar to 'is expected to arrive', but conveys a slightly stronger sense of anticipation.

is due to arrive

Indicates a scheduled or planned arrival.

is slated to arrive

Suggests an arrival that is part of a prearranged plan or schedule.

will likely arrive

Replaces "should" with a probability-based term.

ought to arrive

A more formal and somewhat less common synonym for "should arrive".

can be expected to arrive

Emphasizes the reasonableness of expecting the arrival.

is programmed to arrive

Describes a scheduled arrival with a sense of certainty.

is on track to arrive

Indicates that the arrival is progressing as planned and is likely to occur.

is scheduled for arrival

Highlights that the arrival is part of an official timetable or plan.

FAQs

What does "should arrive" mean?

The phrase "should arrive" indicates an expectation or prediction that something or someone will reach a certain place or time. It suggests a reasonable likelihood based on available information.

What can I say instead of "should arrive"?

You can use alternatives like "is expected to arrive", "is due to arrive", or "will likely arrive" depending on the context.

Is "should arrive" formal or informal?

"Should arrive" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "is expected to arrive" might be preferred.

How do I use "should arrive" in a sentence?

Use "should arrive" to express an anticipated arrival based on a reasonable expectation. For example, "The shipment should arrive by Friday" or "The guest should arrive at 6 PM."