should be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be doing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express an expectation or recommendation for someone to do something. Example: "I should be studying for my exam, but instead I'm watching TV." In this sentence, the speaker is expressing the expectation or recommendation that they study for their exam, but they are not currently doing so. Another example: "You should be eating healthy foods to maintain your energy." Here, the speaker is recommending that the listener eat healthy foods in order to maintain their energy. It is important to note that the phrase "should be doing" is often used in a more casual or conversational tone, and may not be suitable for formal or academic writing. In these cases, it may be more appropriate to use the phrase "should be" followed by a verb in the present tense. For example, "I should be studying" or "You should be eating healthy foods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

D.H.S. should be doing more".

The New Yorker

"We should be doing".

The New York Times

You should be doing better homework".

The New York Times

"But he should be doing that.

The New York Times

India should be doing that right now.

The Economist

But he should be doing better.

The Economist

This is what everyone should be doing".

The New York Times - Sports

Of course police should be doing that.

The New Yorker

But they should be doing that anyway.

The New York Times - Magazine

You should be doing this in Iraq".

The New York Times

"He should be doing more 'Hurlyburly's".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be doing" to express recommendations, expectations, or obligations, especially when referring to ongoing actions or processes. For example, "The team should be doing more research before launching the product."

Common error

Avoid using "should be doing" to describe actions that are already completed. Instead, use "should have done". For example, instead of saying "I should be doing my homework yesterday", say "I should have done my homework yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be doing" functions as a modal verb construction expressing advice, obligation, or expectation regarding an ongoing action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts, providing examples from news media and various other sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be doing" is a versatile modal verb construction used to express recommendations, expectations, or obligations regarding ongoing actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is suitable for neutral communication, avoiding its use for completed actions is crucial to prevent tense confusion. Alternatives like "ought to be doing" or "need to be doing" can provide subtle differences in meaning, depending on the context. Remember, using "should be doing" effectively enhances clarity and guides actions with appropriate advice or expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be doing

Formal alternative, implying a moral obligation or duty.

are supposed to be doing

Implies an expectation based on an agreement or instruction.

need to be doing

Emphasizes a requirement or necessity.

are expected to be doing

Focuses on the anticipation of an action by others.

have to be doing

Suggests a strong obligation, often imposed externally.

must be doing

Expresses a firm command or logical necessity.

would be better off doing

Indicates a preferable course of action for improved outcomes.

it would be advisable to do

Formal recommendation, highlighting prudence and wisdom.

it's recommended to do

Formal suggestion based on general advice or guidelines.

it's advisable that you do

Highlights the wisdom or correctness of an action.

FAQs

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

Use "should be doing" to express an expectation, recommendation, or obligation related to an ongoing action. For example, "You should be focusing on your priorities right now", suggests it's important to concentrate on what matters most.

What can I say instead of "should be doing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ought to be doing", "need to be doing", or "are supposed to be doing". Each carries a slightly different nuance of obligation or expectation.

When should I use "should be doing" vs. "should do"?

"Should be doing" implies an ongoing or continuous action, while "should do" suggests a single, completed action. For instance, "You should be exercising regularly" (ongoing) versus "You should do your taxes" (single action).

What's the difference between "should be doing" and "should have done"?

"Should be doing" refers to an action that is expected or recommended to be happening now, whereas "should have done" refers to an action that was expected or recommended to be completed in the past. "I should be doing my work now" vs. "I should have done my work yesterday".