should be answered

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be answered" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to express the necessity or expectation for something to be answered. Example: "All questions on the test should be answered to the best of your ability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet your question is personal and should be answered personally.

The New York Times - Books

Questions should be answered by the celebrities, not their publicists.

The New York Times

Thanks to singing this powerful, that prayer should be answered.

The Economist

The question should be answered in the review as well.

Cornell University

This is the question that should be answered in Durban.

The Guardian

Mr. Linscombe says such questions should be answered quickly.

The New York Times - Science

Each of those questions should be answered in consultation with the project's sponsor and key stakeholders.

Harvard Business Review

These critically important questions should be answered by a major trial that has just been launched.

The Guardian

This gave Jill an extensive background in common questions and how they should be answered.

The Washington Post

Surely there are questions here that should be answered rather than begged.

The Guardian - Books

Those questions should be answered Saturday when they play at Oregon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be answered" when indicating that a question, issue, or concern warrants a response, reflecting a sense of obligation or expectation. Ensure the context makes it clear who is responsible for providing the answer.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "should be answered" when active voice can provide clarity and directness. For example, instead of "The question should be answered by the team", consider "The team should answer the question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be answered" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that a question, inquiry, or problem requires a response. It conveys a sense of obligation, expectation, or advisability. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be answered" is a commonly used modal passive construction indicating that a question or problem requires a response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize the importance of providing an answer, and its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts. While overuse of passive voice should be avoided for clarity, "should be answered" effectively conveys a sense of obligation or expectation. Its frequency is high, especially in News & Media and scientific contexts, supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be answered

Changes "should" to "needs", emphasizing a requirement rather than a recommendation.

must be answered

Replaces "should" with "must", indicating a higher level of obligation or necessity.

ought to be answered

Substitutes "should" with "ought to", maintaining a similar sense of moral duty or correctness.

requires an answer

Shifts from a passive to an active construction, focusing on the need for an answer.

demands a response

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of getting a reply.

warrants a response

Suggests that the question or issue justifies the effort of answering it.

merits consideration

Focuses on the importance of thinking about and addressing the question.

is worth answering

Highlights the value or benefit of providing an answer.

deserves a response

Implies that the question is worthy of attention and a reply.

calls for a reply

Indicates that the situation or question necessitates a response.

FAQs

How can I use "should be answered" in a sentence?

Use "should be answered" to express that a question or problem requires a response. For example, "All inquiries should be answered promptly".

What's a more formal way to say "should be answered"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "must be addressed" or "requires a response", which convey a stronger sense of necessity.

Is it always necessary to specify who "should" provide the answer?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "should be answered" can improve clarity. If the context doesn't make it obvious, add a phrase like "by the relevant department" or "by a qualified expert".

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

"Should be answered" indicates a recommendation or expectation, while "must be answered" implies a stronger obligation or necessity. The choice depends on the urgency and importance of the response.