should be greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be greater" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expectations or comparisons, indicating that one quantity or value is expected to exceed another. Example: "The final score should be greater than the initial estimate to ensure the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There should be greater accountability and transparency.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there should be greater freedom of speech.

The Guardian - Sport

Top of the list should be greater currency flexibility.

The Economist

In Lynch's choppy wake, the BHA now concedes that corruption penalties should be greater.

The Guardian - Sport

Remember, the result should be greater than the sum of its parts.

The Guardian - Music

"And cuts should be greater than the accompanying increase in debt authority the president is given".

The New York Times

The pay of faculty members should be greater than any coach at the college.

The New York Times

Almost six in 10 respondents (58%) believed there should be greater restrictions on free movement of EU citizens.

The Guardian

Instead, Balls believes there should be greater emphasis on parental responsibility and providing young people with more to do.

The Guardian

Amber Hagerman's legacy should be greater communication and cooperation among law enforcement agencies -- not a system that encourages vigilantism.

The New York Times

In any public procurement, there should be greater weighting given to the local economic benefits created," Stace said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be greater" in technical writing, ensure that the units of measurement are clearly defined for both values being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be greater" without specifying what it is being compared to. Always provide a clear reference point to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be greater" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It expresses an expectation, recommendation, or requirement that one quantity or value exceeds another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be greater" functions as a comparative adjective phrase used to express an expectation or requirement that one value exceed another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is common in scientific, news, and business writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear reference points for comparison and avoid vague statements. Alternatives such as "ought to be higher" or "must exceed" can be used depending on the specific nuances intended. Overall, "should be greater" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase for expressing comparative relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be higher

Emphasizes obligation or expectation for a higher value.

must exceed

Indicates a requirement for one value to surpass another.

should surpass

Suggests exceeding in a more active or competitive sense.

needs to be larger

Focuses on the necessity of an increased size or quantity.

is expected to be bigger

Highlights anticipation of a larger value or size.

has to be over

Implies a mandatory minimum threshold.

should outstrip

Suggests exceeding in performance or amount, often in a competitive setting.

should transcend

Indicates exceeding in a more abstract or qualitative sense.

is desirable to be higher

Expresses a preference for a greater value.

is advisable to increase

Recommends an increase to achieve a more desirable outcome.

FAQs

How to use "should be greater" in a sentence?

The phrase "should be greater" is used to express an expectation or requirement that one value exceeds another. For instance, "The benefits should be greater than the costs."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought to be higher", "must exceed", or "needs to be larger" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should be greater than" or "should be more than"?

Both "should be greater than" and "should be more than" are grammatically correct, but "greater than" is generally preferred when referring to numerical values, while "more than" is suitable for non-numerical comparisons.

What's the difference between "should be greater than or equal to" and "should be greater than"?

"Should be greater than or equal to" indicates that a value can be either larger or the same as a specified value, whereas "should be greater than" indicates that the value must strictly exceed the specified value and cannot be equal to it.