should be applied to

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be applied to" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to talk about a rule, principle, or solution being implemented or put into action. For example: - The same ethical standards should be applied to all employees, regardless of their position or role within the company. - In order to improve customer service, these new guidelines should be applied to all customer interactions. - We believe that this approach should be applied to all departments, not just marketing. - In cases of plagiarism, the appropriate disciplinary measures should be applied to the offending student. - The same safety protocols should be applied to all construction sites.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That principle should be applied to Trump.

The Washington Post

What rules should be applied to Microsoft in this competition?

The New York Times

The Millennium Challenge philosophy should be applied to Iraq's reconstruction.

The New York Times

These rules should be applied to all mortgage lenders.

The New York Times

The same idea should be applied to adults.

The New York Times

That same scepticism should be applied to these ones.

The Guardian

I think that same scrutiny should be applied to men.

The New York Times - Magazine

The same reasoning should be applied to government debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not a story that should be applied to Glück.

The New York Times - Books

Clemency and justice should be applied to them all.

The New York Times

Some version of that should be applied to Kenya.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be applied to", ensure that the subject receiving the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify which rules or principles "should be applied to" whom or what.

Common error

Avoid using "should be applied to" with a singular subject when a plural subject is required, or vice versa. Always check that the subject agrees with the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be applied to" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a recommendation or obligation regarding the implementation of a rule, principle, or solution. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be applied to" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to recommend or suggest the implementation of a principle, rule, or solution. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields like news, science, and general writing. The choice of using "should be applied to" implies a degree of recommendation rather than a strict mandate. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the subject receiving the action. While generally neutral in tone, formality can increase in academic or business contexts. Remember to avoid subject-verb agreement errors to maintain grammatical accuracy. Considering these guidelines will ensure effective and precise communication when using "should be applied to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be implemented for

Replaces "applied" with "implemented" and uses "for" instead of "to", changing the prepositional focus.

must be enforced upon

Shifts from suggestion to necessity with "must" and uses "enforced" which implies a stricter action and changes the prepositional focus.

needs to be utilized within

Replaces "applied" with "utilized" which focus on using the thing that should be utilized and changes the prepositional focus.

should be enacted in

Uses "enacted" instead of "applied", suggesting a formal or legal implementation and changes the prepositional focus.

must be brought to bear on

Emphasizes influence or pressure and uses a more forceful idiom.

should be brought into play for

Replaces the action with a more descriptive phrase.

needs to be taken into account in

Expresses consideration rather than direct application and changes the prepositional focus.

should be considered with

Indicates thoughtfulness is required, rather than implementation and changes the prepositional focus.

should be put in place for

Focuses on establishing a system or rule.

has to be used in

Implies more obligation than suggestion and changes the prepositional focus.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should be applied to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "ought to be implemented for" or "must be enforced upon" depending on the specific context.

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

"Should be applied to" suggests a recommendation or guideline, while "must be applied to" implies a requirement or obligation. The choice depends on whether you're expressing a suggestion or a mandatory action.

Is it correct to use "should be applied for" instead of "should be applied to"?

The phrase "should be applied to" is generally preferred. While "applied for" is correct in other contexts (e.g., "applied for a job"), "should be applied to" is used when something is being implemented or put into effect.

What are some common contexts where "should be applied to" is used?

The phrase "should be applied to" is commonly used in discussing rules, principles, standards, or solutions in areas such as regulations, ethics, scientific methodologies, and best practices.