should be found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be found" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the likelihood or expectation of something being discovered or located. Example: "All necessary documents should be found in the file cabinet." This sentence suggests that the speaker expects the documents to be present in the file cabinet. Another example: "The missing key should be found somewhere in the room." This sentence expresses the speaker's belief that the key will eventually be located in the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The money can, and should, be found.

The Economist

Infected mosquitoes should be found before spraying".

The New York Times

The people responsible should be found and brought to justice.

The Guardian

But all who want to, should be found a place.

The Guardian

But if other means are required, they should be found.

The New York Times

These people, these English fans should be found, punished and locked up.

The Guardian - Sport

"Consumers should be found for the energy facilities to be constructed," he told reporters here.

The New York Times

But room should be found for Copeland, who has been a soloist for five years now.

The New Yorker

Even if the fish should be found to be environmentally damaging, it can still be released.

The New York Times

Those who charge such extortionate amounts should be found and challenged.

The Guardian - Sport

saying he should be found guilty & speaking of his "enormous crimes".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be found" in a formal context, ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what is expected to be found and where. For instance, "The error in the code should be found within the debugging logs."

Common error

Avoid using "should be found" when a stronger assertion is needed. Saying "the solution must be implemented" is more direct than "a solution should be found", when immediate action is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be found" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating an expectation or probability that something will be discovered or located. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. The modal verb "should" modifies the passive voice "be found", expressing a degree of likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be found" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction that expresses an expectation or likelihood of discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. It's frequently used in news, scientific, and formal contexts to indicate a reasonable expectation that something will be located. While alternatives like "ought to be discovered" or "is expected to be located" exist, "should be found" offers a balance of formality and clarity, making it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios. To use it effectively, ensure clarity in specifying what is expected to be found and where, while avoiding its use when a stronger assertion is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be discovered

Replaces "should" with "ought to", which carries a similar sense of obligation or expectation, but may sound slightly more formal or moralistic.

is expected to be located

Replaces the modal verb with a more explicit statement of expectation. Changes the tone to be more assertive.

is likely to be uncovered

Shifts the focus to the probability of being found or revealed. Implies a sense of unveiling or discovery.

can be expected to turn up

Suggests a predictable appearance or surfacing, often after a search or investigation. It's slightly more informal.

must be detectable

Emphasizes the necessity of detectability, suggesting a technical or investigative context. It implies something has to be found due to its nature.

is anticipated to be revealed

Focuses on the anticipation of revelation, possibly after a period of being hidden or unknown. Sounds more formal.

is meant to be discovered

Implies a preordained or intended finding, adding a layer of purpose or destiny to the discovery.

it is predicted will surface

It expresses future expectation. Slightly changes the grammatical structure.

one can anticipate finding

Focuses on the act of finding from an agent's perspective rather than the object being found. Creates a slightly different tone.

one would expect to locate

Emphasizes the expectation based on typical circumstances or knowledge. The change in grammatical construction shifts the focus to the action of locating.

FAQs

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

Use "should be found" to indicate an expectation or likelihood of something being discovered or located. For example, "The missing file should be found in the archive."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought to be discovered", "is expected to be located", or "is likely to be uncovered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should be found" or "must be found"?

Both "should be found" and "must be found" are grammatically correct, but they convey different levels of certainty. "Should be found" suggests a high probability, while "must be found" implies a necessity.

What's the difference between "should be found" and "can be found"?

"Should be found" suggests an expectation or likelihood, while "can be found" indicates a possibility or ability to be located. "The information should be found in the report" implies it's likely there, whereas "The information can be found online" means it is accessible online.