should be discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising against a certain behavior or action that is deemed undesirable or harmful. Example: "Excessive screen time for children should be discouraged to promote healthier habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These findings suggest that this ancient design should be discouraged.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

And "routine classroom or schoolwide screening should be discouraged".

The New York Times - Health

(This game should be discouraged in malarial zones).

The New York Times

Those that offer only positional advantage should be discouraged.

The Economist

Existing immigrants are welcome, but future immigrants should be discouraged.

The Guardian - Opinion

The use of baby walkers should be discouraged".

The New York Times - Health

Spitting is a nasty habit that should be discouraged – and it should be discouraged by the clubs.

The Guardian - Sport

Experimental driving and late-night outings for adolescents should be discouraged.

Journal of Safety Research

Users should be discouraged from modifying those files or adding software to the machines unilaterally.

Harvard University

In short, another reason why bubbles leave such a mess and should be discouraged.

The Economist

Whether or not Citi's behavior was illegal, it is clearly behavior that should be discouraged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be discouraged", clearly state the reasons why the action or behavior is not recommended to provide context and justification.

Common error

Avoid using "should be discouraged" as a blanket statement without providing specific reasons or evidence. Always support your recommendation with logical reasoning or data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be discouraged" functions as a recommendation against a particular action or behavior. Ludwig highlights the frequent use of this construction across diverse contexts to advise against undesirable practices or outcomes. It typically indicates a belief that something is not beneficial or may even be harmful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be discouraged" is a versatile expression used to advise against specific actions or behaviors. It is grammatically sound and commonly found in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its presence in science, news, and formal business settings indicates broad applicability. The phrase conveys a recommendation to prevent or disapprove of something, often with underlying reasons or potential negative consequences. Ludwig AI indicates that "should be discouraged" is best used with clear justification to avoid overuse as a blanket statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be deterred

Focuses on preventing action through fear or doubt.

should be avoided

Emphasizes staying away from something to prevent negative consequences.

is not advisable

A more formal way to say something is not recommended.

ought to be prevented

Highlights the need to stop something from happening.

needs to be curbed

Suggests controlling or limiting something.

should be suppressed

Implies actively stopping something from continuing or becoming known.

should be rejected

Indicates that something should be turned down or refused.

must be obstructed

Emphasizes that something needs to be blocked or hindered.

should be abandoned

Focuses on ceasing the activity of something.

needs to be dampened

Implies reducing the intensity or enthusiasm for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "should be discouraged" to advise against certain actions or behaviors. For example, "The use of age-based formulas "should be discouraged" in emergency medicine because of the potential for patient harm."

What are some alternatives to saying "should be discouraged"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should be avoided", "is not advisable", or "ought to be prevented", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "should be discouraged" grammatically correct?

Yes, "should be discouraged" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction using the modal verb "should" and the past participle "discouraged".

What is the difference between "should be discouraged" and "should not be encouraged"?

While both phrases advise against something, "should be discouraged" actively suggests preventing or disapproving of an action, whereas "should not be encouraged" simply means that the action should not be promoted or supported. The former is a stronger stance than the latter.