should be consigned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be consigned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something should be assigned to a particular place or situation, often implying that it should be discarded or forgotten. Example: "The outdated practices should be consigned to history, as we move forward with more innovative approaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It should be consigned to history".

The New York Times

Slave labour should be consigned to the history books.

The Guardian

Exes should be consigned to history like flares, Eldorado and your teenage mixtapes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By contrast, Citizen Khan is dated and cringeworthy – and should be consigned to the 70s scrapheap.

The Guardian - Opinion

Training, small enclosures and stress of performing all mean the spectacle should be consigned to history, they say.

Independent

The hunger that maims and blights should be consigned to the past, just as the hunger that kills has been.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Opponents of the medical model of disability urged the disentanglement of disability from illness, pointing out that many individuals with disabilities are as strong and capable of productivity as nondisabled people, and therefore should not be consigned to the limitations of the "sick" role (Amundson 1992).

SEP

Tragedies of the meadow should not be consigned to the dustbin of irrelevant formal models.

Biology and Philosophy

Should the Type A personality be consigned to the dust heap of failed scientific theories?

Huffington Post

"Pennsylvania Impressionism" is a notoriously wooly and imprecise term, one that should be consigned swiftly to the dustbin of art history.

The New York Times

Depending on the weekend's results, Motherwell could be consigned to the relegation play-off spot should County finish level with Gary Locke's team.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be consigned to" to express the idea that something is outdated, irrelevant, or harmful and should be relegated to the past or a less important position. For example, "Outdated business practices should be consigned to history".

Common error

Avoid using "should be consigned to" in overly formal or academic writing where more neutral language might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "should be considered obsolete" or "should be replaced by" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be consigned to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation or judgment about where something belongs. Ludwig AI confirms that it's often used to suggest something is no longer relevant or desirable. It implies a need for relocation or dismissal based on obsolescence or inappropriateness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be consigned to" is a commonly used phrase to express that something is no longer relevant or useful and should be moved to a less important place or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in news, media, and formal business contexts. When writing, consider using related alternatives such as "should be relegated to" or "should be discarded" depending on the intended nuance. While the phrase is deemed perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your context and avoid overuse in overly formal writing where more neutral alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be relegated to

This alternative emphasizes the act of moving something to a lower or less important rank or position.

should be assigned to

This alternative highlights the act of allocating or designating something to a specific place or role.

should be relegated to the past

This alternative specifically emphasizes moving something to a previous time or era.

ought to be relegated to

This alternative uses "ought to" instead of "should", adding a slightly stronger sense of obligation or advisability.

should be dispatched to

This alternative conveys a sense of promptness in moving or sending something away.

should be banished to

This alternative implies a forceful or permanent removal to a less desirable location or state.

needs to be discarded

This alternative directly states the need to get rid of something that is no longer useful or wanted.

must be abandoned

This alternative suggests a necessary relinquishment or desertion of something.

deserves to be forgotten

This alternative emphasizes the desire for something to fade from memory or awareness.

should be discarded in favor of

This alternative emphasizes the need to replace something with something better.

FAQs

How can I use "should be consigned to" in a sentence?

You can use "should be consigned to" to indicate that something is no longer useful, relevant, or appropriate and should be moved to a less important or forgotten state. For example, "Those old files should be consigned to the archive".

What are some alternatives to "should be consigned to"?

Some alternatives include "should be relegated to", "should be assigned to", or "should be discarded", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "should be consigned to"?

It is appropriate to use "should be consigned to" when you want to strongly suggest that something needs to be moved away from current practice or consideration because it is outdated, ineffective, or harmful.

Is "should be consigned to" formal or informal?

"Should be consigned to" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It is suitable for use in news articles, opinion pieces, and business contexts, but might be too strong for casual conversation.