should be expunged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be expunged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is deemed inappropriate, irrelevant, or needs to be removed from a record or document. Example: "Any false information in the report should be expunged to maintain its integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Unsigned letters alleging misconduct should be expunged," Bishop Quinn said.

The New York Times

This nebulous term should be expunged from our vocabulary.

The Guardian

To his supporters he was proof that the phrase 'birdbrain' should be expunged from the dictionary".

The New York Times - Books

To his supporters he was proof that the phrase "bird brain" should be expunged from the dictionary.

The Guardian

A provision of America's Dodd-Frank financial-reform law, enacted in 2010, states that any requirements in regulation for a security to be rated should be expunged.

The Economist

The former Icac commissioner David Ipp described the licences as "so tainted by corruption that [they] should be expunged or cancelled".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The charges against both of these black girls should be dropped immediately and any record of their arrests should also be expunged.

Huffington Post

Truro appeared ready to be expelled from the Football Conference before the duo paid a £50,000 bond to the league to cover the costs of sides travelling to Treyew Road should the club fold and their results be expunged.

BBC

The Conference asked for the bond to cover the costs of sides who had played at Truro should the club go bust and their results be expunged.

BBC

Why shouldn't the "boring bits" of "The Mill on the Floss" be expunged?

The New York Times

But terrorism is unlikely to be expunged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be expunged" when you want to emphasize that something needs to be completely removed, especially from a record or official document. It carries a stronger connotation than simply "removed" or "deleted".

Common error

Avoid using "should be expunged" in casual conversation. It's a formal phrase and sounds out of place when simpler alternatives like "removed" or "deleted" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be expunged" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something ought to be removed or erased. This usage is supported by Ludwig examples which show its use in various contexts such as legal, historical and general writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be expunged" is a formal expression indicating that something ought to be completely removed, often from official records. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in contexts such as news, science, and wiki articles. Its authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, reinforcing its reliability. While the phrase is appropriate in formal settings, using it in casual conversation may sound unnatural. Alternatives include "ought to be removed" or "should be deleted", depending on the context. Therefore, use "should be expunged" judiciously, considering the formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be removed

Emphasizes a moral obligation to remove something.

needs to be erased

Highlights the necessity of completely eliminating something.

should be deleted

Focuses on the act of removing digital or written information.

must be eradicated

Implies a strong need to eliminate something harmful or undesirable.

should be nullified

Indicates that something should be made void or without legal effect.

has to be rescinded

Suggests a formal cancellation or withdrawal of a decision or law.

is to be struck down

Implies a forceful removal, often in a legal or official context.

should be withdrawn

Focuses on the act of taking something back or away.

ought to be repealed

Refers specifically to the act of revoking a law or regulation.

must be cleared

Highlights the need to eliminate something, often from a record or system.

FAQs

What does "should be expunged" mean?

The phrase "should be expunged" means something ought to be completely removed or erased, especially from a record or official document. It implies that the information is considered inappropriate, irrelevant, or harmful.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "should be expunged"?

It is appropriate to use "should be expunged" in formal contexts, such as legal documents, official reports, or academic papers, where you want to emphasize the necessity of removing specific information.

What are some alternatives to "should be expunged"?

Alternatives include "ought to be removed", "needs to be erased", or "should be deleted", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "should be expunged" the same as "should be removed"?

While similar, "should be expunged" carries a stronger implication of complete and thorough removal, often from official records, than the more general phrase "should be removed".