should be defined

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to make an explicit statement about what you think should happen. For example, "The term 'spirituality' should be defined more clearly before we can proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Generally, the regions should be defined in logical (image) coordinates.

Harvard University

What exactly should be defined as an environmental disaster?

The New York Times - Science

This is a title that should be defined by peers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nor is it a problem that should be defined by a war ten years ago.

The Guardian

Benefit can and should be defined more broadly than merely financial advantage.

The Guardian

Mr. Romney tangled with Mr. McCain over whether waterboarding should be defined as torture.

The New York Times

"AUL believes that all human life should be defined from conception to natural death.

The Guardian

"Others say no, it should be defined simply by the genetic gift".

The New York Times

Emily's life should be defined not by her death, but by her tenacity and passion.

The Guardian - Books

Men and women should be defined individually, not just in relation to the other gender.

The New York Times

The question, legal scholars said, may center on how the annual increase should be defined.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be defined", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is responsible for providing the definition. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be defined" without specifying the entity or source that is expected to provide the definition. This can lead to confusion and undermine the effectiveness of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be defined" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a recommendation or necessity for clarification. It is used to express that a term, concept, or boundary requires a precise definition. As shown by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to advocate for clarity and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and relevant across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia. When using "should be defined", clarity is key and always ensure context clearly indicates who or what is responsible for providing the definition to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "needs to be defined" or "ought to be defined" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Always aim for specific meaning, clearly setting who will provide the definition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be defined

Emphasizes a need for definition, similar to "should be defined", but with a stronger sense of urgency or requirement.

must be defined

Indicates a strict requirement for definition, stronger than "should be defined".

ought to be defined

A more formal way of saying "should be defined", implying a moral or logical obligation.

needs clarification

Focuses on the need for making something clearer, a key aspect of defining something.

requires definition

Highlights the requirement of a formal definition.

should be clarified

Focuses on making something clearer, often implying that it is currently ambiguous.

has to be defined

Expresses a necessity for definition, often due to external factors or rules.

is to be defined

A more formal and passive way of saying "should be defined", often used in legal or technical contexts.

requires specification

Focuses on the need for more precise details and specifications.

warrants definition

Indicates that something merits or deserves to be defined, often due to its importance or complexity.

FAQs

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

You can use "should be defined" when suggesting a term, concept, or process needs a clear and precise definition. For example, "The scope of the project "should be defined" before the team starts working".

What's a more formal alternative to "should be defined"?

A more formal alternative is "ought to be defined". For example, "The ethical considerations "ought to be defined" in the research protocol".

Is "needs to be defined" the same as "should be defined"?

"Needs to be defined" expresses a stronger sense of urgency than "should be defined". While "should be defined" suggests a recommendation, "needs to be defined" implies a necessity. For example, "The success metrics "needs to be defined" before project kickoff".

Can "should be defined" be used in scientific writing?

Yes, "should be defined" is appropriate in scientific writing when introducing new terms or clarifying existing concepts. For instance, "For the purpose of this study, 'sustainable development' "should be defined" as...".