should be heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be heightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need to increase or intensify something, such as awareness, sensitivity, or security. Example: "In order to address the issue effectively, the public's awareness of the problem should be heightened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The seasonal sense of the absurd should be heightened this week with the opening of ALAN AYCKBOURN's 1972 farce called, well, "ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR".

The New York Times

His compounds pull meaning into stretched essences: 'the fine-forged mesh of his gleaming mail-shirt'; the sea is called 'the frothing wave-vat'thethe battle-topping helmet'thethe slick-skinned dragon'; 'a frost-stiffened wood.' Heaney is colloquial when he wants to be, but also proceeds as if his language should be heightened, arched, almost frostily dignified: the poem is always a rhetoric.

The Guardian - Books

Finally, there should be heightened protection of sensitive areas that are important to the marine ecosystem and the Inupiat people who depend on it for their traditional way of life.

Huffington Post

Suspicion should be heightened when fever and or pneumonia occurs.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

These results also demonstrate that infection prevention measures should be heightened during warm days.

BMC Public Health

Shelter dogs, therefore, provide a sensitive population for assessment of local canine transmission risk, and we suggest that awareness of kissing bugs and Chagas disease risk among citizens and the medical community should be heightened in areas where seropositive dogs are detected.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That China should be heightening its preparations for a collapse across the Yalu, and directly warning the North to avoid "chaos", is important.

The Guardian

"At a time when Japan and the US should be heightening their security cooperation to combat the threat posed by China, the timing of the release of this film is not at all constructive".

The Guardian - Film

There is no evidence that any terrorist has nuclear materials now, but the possibility is serious enough so that the government should be heightening security at home by monitoring foreign nations' weapons more closely and planning for military raids, if necessary, to keep weapons out of the wrong hands.

The New York Times

However, awareness of the risk of the "inverse care law" [ 43], that is, increased inequality due to the higher social classes having better access to preventive interventions should also be heightened.

BMC Public Health

This mood would be heightened appreciably should Keith Curle's side win Tuesday night's FA Cup replay at Yeovil and be looking forward to entertaining Everton in a fourth- round tie preceded by the rumble of broadcast trucks trundling down Warwick Road.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be heightened" when you want to suggest that something needs to be increased in intensity, degree, or awareness. It's particularly effective when advocating for improvements in safety measures, vigilance, or attention to detail.

Common error

Avoid using "should be heightened" in extremely formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be preferable. Consider alternatives that offer greater specificity to avoid sounding vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be heightened" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation or necessity for increasing the intensity, degree, or level of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be heightened" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the need for something to be intensified or increased, particularly in contexts related to security, awareness, or vigilance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and scientific publications, writers should be mindful of its formality and choose more specific alternatives when appropriate. Common related phrases include "ought to be increased" and "must be intensified". By following best practices and avoiding overuse in overly formal settings, writers can effectively use "should be heightened" to convey a clear and actionable recommendation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be increased

Replaces "should" with "ought to", a slightly more formal modal verb, and "heightened" with "increased", focusing on quantity.

needs to be amplified

Substitutes "should be" with "needs to be" indicating necessity, and "heightened" with "amplified", emphasizing greater intensity or effect.

must be intensified

Replaces "should be" with "must be", denoting a stronger obligation, and "heightened" with "intensified", focusing on increased strength or concentration.

has to be elevated

Changes "should be" to "has to be", indicating necessity, and "heightened" to "elevated", suggesting a raising to a higher level or status.

requires greater emphasis

Replaces the entire phrase with a structure indicating a need for more focus or attention.

demands more attention

Shifts the phrasing to highlight the necessity of increased focus.

warrants increased scrutiny

Emphasizes the need for closer examination or monitoring.

calls for greater vigilance

Highlights the need for increased watchfulness and alertness.

merits greater awareness

Focuses on the importance of increasing knowledge or understanding.

necessitates stronger measures

Emphasizes the need for more forceful or effective actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "should be heightened" to express that something needs to be increased or intensified. For example, "Security at the airport "should be heightened" during peak travel seasons."

What phrases are similar to "should be heightened"?

Alternatives to "should be heightened" include "ought to be increased", "needs to be amplified", or "must be intensified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "should be heightened" formal or informal?

"Should be heightened" is generally suitable for professional or news contexts. For more formal or nuanced language, consider alternatives that offer greater specificity. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "should be heightened" and "should be increased"?

While both phrases suggest a need for something to be made greater, "should be heightened" often implies an increase in intensity, vigilance, or awareness, whereas "should be increased" is more general and can refer to a numerical or quantitative increase.