should be deleted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should be deleted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that should be removed or eliminated. For example: "The outdated rules of the organization should be deleted to make way for new ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This example should be deleted".

The New York Times

The rest should be deleted or archived.

Nature

Also, change control sections should be deleted, as they are poor and even counterproductive.

Engineering Documentation Control Handbook Configuration Management in Industry

Next week: why all music should be deleted, starting with your favourite band.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Words such as 'threats,'blackmailil' and 'veto' should be deleted from the vocabulary," Mr. Schussel said.

The New York Times

"Ever closer union" should be deleted from the EU treaties and scrapped as a concept.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is our culture that anything with insulting language should be deleted.

The Guardian

Perhaps the soggy tart shell should be deleted; the sauce is scrumptious enough to stand alone.

The New York Times

And once personal data is no longer needed, it should be deleted or anonymised.

The Guardian - Opinion

This parameter determines whether invalid rows in the index should be deleted.

Harvard University

Effectively, no rows should be deleted from this table, only added.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be deleted", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "should be deleted" without specifying what exactly needs to be removed. For example, instead of saying "This should be deleted", specify "This paragraph should be deleted because it's irrelevant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be deleted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something requires removal or elimination. It's a modal verb phrase expressing necessity or recommendation for deletion. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be deleted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction indicating the necessity or recommendation for removing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what needs removal and why, avoiding vague references. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "ought to be removed" or "must be expunged". Understanding these nuances helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be removed

Changes the auxiliary verb from "should" to "ought to", maintaining a similar level of obligation.

needs to be eliminated

Replaces "deleted" with "eliminated", implying a more thorough removal.

should be omitted

Uses "omitted" instead of "deleted", implying something is left out intentionally.

should be discarded

Substitutes "deleted" with "discarded", suitable for physical or abstract items.

should be purged

Replaces "deleted" with "purged", suggesting a thorough cleansing or removal.

must be expunged

Uses "expunged" for a more formal and emphatic deletion, often from records.

should be erased

Replaces "deleted" with "erased", often used for removing data or memories.

should be cut

Uses "cut" instead of "deleted", indicating a shortening or reduction.

has to be taken out

Uses a more informal phrasing with "taken out" instead of "deleted".

should be terminated

Substitutes "deleted" with "terminated", implying a formal ending or removal.

FAQs

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

Use "should be deleted" to indicate that something needs to be removed or eliminated. For example, "Outdated information on the website "should be deleted" to ensure accuracy".

What's a more formal way to say "should be deleted"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ought to be removed" or "must be expunged", depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis required.

Which is correct, "should be deleted" or "should delete"?

"Should be deleted" is used in the passive voice to indicate that something needs to be removed by someone or something. "Should delete" is active voice and means someone actively performs the deletion. For example, "The user should delete the file" versus "The file "should be deleted" by the system".

Are there any situations where "should be deleted" is inappropriate?

While generally acceptable, "should be deleted" might be too direct in contexts requiring sensitivity. Consider softer alternatives like "should be revised" or "may need to be updated" when dealing with delicate subjects or providing constructive criticism.