should be cited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be cited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need to reference or acknowledge a source of information or ideas in academic or formal writing. Example: "Any data or claims made in this paper should be cited to ensure proper attribution and credibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Mr. Rodriguez refuses to appear, he should be cited for contempt and punished appropriately.

The New York Times

Paul Wein, a Buildings Department spokesman, said the department would investigate whether the building's owners should be cited.

The New York Times

Asked if there were other problems in the defensive unit that should be cited, Cottrell again said, "No comment".

The New York Times - Sports

It was not possible to learn specifically what had prompted Judge Cogan to hold hearings on whether Mr. Oberlander should be cited for contempt.

The New York Times

Often, though, such information would be enough to let an inventor determine whether the old patent should be cited in a new application.

The New York Times

Figures should be cited within the text.

Science Magazine

All tables and figures should be cited in numerical order.

Science Magazine

Before turning to the other-country experience, however, some more positive aspects should be cited.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

In text references should be cited in parentheses with an italic number (1).

Science Magazine

However, a very important reference is omitted, and this method founder's publication should be cited here [2].

Nanoscale Research Letters

They should be cited within the text and numbered in the order of their citation in the text.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be cited" in academic writing, ensure that the citation is accurate and follows the required formatting style (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago). This enhances the credibility of your work and avoids plagiarism.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "should be cited" without actually providing the citation. Always include the full reference information to allow readers to verify the source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be cited" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a recommendation or requirement for acknowledging a source. It is used to emphasize that a specific reference is necessary or important for credibility and completeness. Ludwig AI confirms this through multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be cited" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signals the necessity or importance of acknowledging a source. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to ensure proper attribution and avoid plagiarism, especially within formal and scientific writing. The phrase appears most commonly in scientific, news, and business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "must be referenced" or "needs to be acknowledged". When employing "should be cited", always provide accurate and complete citations to maintain credibility and transparency in your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be referenced

Replaces "should" with "ought to", emphasizing obligation or duty.

needs to be referenced

Substitutes "should" with "needs to", indicating necessity.

must be referenced

Replaces "should" with "must", conveying a stronger sense of requirement.

should be acknowledged

Replaces "cited" with "acknowledged", focusing on recognition rather than specific citation.

ought to be acknowledged

Combines "ought to" and "acknowledged", conveying a sense of duty to recognize a source.

needs to be attributed

Replaces "cited" with "attributed", emphasizing the assignment of authorship or origin.

must be credited

Substitutes "cited" with "credited", highlighting the act of giving recognition for contribution.

demands citation

Rephrases the phrase using "demands" to highlight the importance of citation.

requires referencing

Replaces "should be cited" with a verb phrase to describe the action needed.

is worthy of citation

Expresses that something merits citation due to its importance or relevance.

FAQs

How do I use "should be cited" in a sentence?

You can use "should be cited" when indicating that a particular source or piece of information needs acknowledgment. For example, "This study "should be cited" in your research paper to give credit to the original authors."

What are some alternatives to "should be cited"?

Alternatives include "must be referenced", "needs to be acknowledged", or "ought to be credited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "should be cited" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the importance of giving credit to a source. This is common in academic papers, research reports, and other forms of formal writing where proper attribution is essential.

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

"Should be cited" indicates a recommendation or suggestion, while "must be cited" implies a stronger requirement. The choice depends on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.