should be block

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be block" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to suggest that something ought to be in a block format or style, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "The text should be block to ensure better readability."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That should be "block".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The deal should be blocked.

The Guardian - Business

If sites refuse to comply, they should be blocked.

The Guardian

Any "particularly harmful" sites should be blocked altogether, it suggested.

The Guardian

Moss also said he would use the board to learn where he should be blocking.

The New York Times - Sports

But some experts on insurance and taxes say many of these companies are a tax dodge that should be blocked.

The New York Times

Opponents are essentially arguing that states should be blocked by Congress from collecting taxes in a fair and rational matter.

The New York Times

Or is Claire Enders, the respected media analyst, right in her argument that the Murdoch bid for full control of Sky should be blocked on grounds of plurality?

The Guardian - Opinion

The proposed alliance between British Airways and American, they say, is precisely the kind of deal that should be blocked, because the cost to competition will far outweigh any efficiencies.

The New York Times

The business secretary, Vince Cable, has asked Ofcom to advise him on whether the deal should be blocked on media plurality grounds.

The Guardian

You position them so that they can all "see" each other; no speaker should be blocked by furniture, potted plants or sleeping St. Bernards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be" followed by a verb, ensure that the verb is in its past participle form (e.g., "should be blocked", "should be removed") for grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is using the base form of a verb after "should be" (e.g., "should be block"). Always use the past participle (e.g., "should be blocked") to form the passive voice correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be block" is intended as a modal construction expressing a recommendation or necessity. However, the grammatically correct form requires the past participle, "blocked". Ludwig AI reveals that "should be blocked" is the accurate construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be block" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "should be blocked". As shown by Ludwig, this phrase expresses the necessity or recommendation for something to be prevented or stopped. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general web content, it is essential to use the correct grammatical structure to ensure clarity and credibility. Remember to always use the past participle form of the verb after "should be" for proper grammar and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be blocked

Replaces "block" with its past participle, "blocked", to ensure grammatical correctness and conveys the idea of something needing to be prevented or stopped.

needs to be blocked

Substitutes "should" with "needs", indicating a requirement for something to be prevented or stopped, enhancing clarity and emphasizing necessity.

has to be blocked

Replaces "should" with "has to", conveying a sense of obligation or necessity, while maintaining the intention to stop or prevent something.

should be prevented

Replaces "block" with "prevented", using a different verb to convey the idea of stopping something before it occurs, making it more explicit.

must be blocked

Emphasizes the necessity of blocking something, replacing "should" with "must" to heighten the sense of obligation or urgency.

should be stopped

Replaces "block" with "stopped", using a more common verb to convey the action of halting something, enhancing understanding.

should be obstructed

Substitutes "block" with "obstructed", providing a synonym that implies hindering or impeding something, adding nuance.

it should be blocked

Adds the pronoun "it" for clarity and grammatical completeness, making the phrase more explicit and universally understandable.

it ought to be blocked

Combines "ought to" and "blocked" for enhanced formality and grammatical precision, indicating a recommendation for prevention or stoppage.

action should be blocked

Specifies that an "action" requires blocking, clarifying the subject and improving precision in scenarios involving preventative measures.

FAQs

What is the correct grammatical form: "should be block" or "should be blocked"?

The correct grammatical form is "should be blocked". "Block" is a verb, and in this context, you need the past participle form, which is "blocked". Therefore, "should be blocked" is the accurate and standard way to express that something needs to be prevented or stopped.

What does "should be blocked" mean?

"Should be blocked" means that something ought to be prevented, stopped, or obstructed. It indicates a recommendation or necessity for preventing an action or access. For example, "This website "should be blocked" due to harmful content".

What can I say instead of "should be blocked"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to be blocked", "needs to be blocked", or "must be blocked" depending on the level of necessity you want to convey.

Is "should be block" ever correct in English?

No, "should be block" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. The correct phrasing is ""should be blocked"", where "blocked" is the past participle of the verb "block". This construction is used to indicate that something needs to be prevented or stopped.