should be hidden

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you want to suggest something should not be revealed. For example: The location of the surprise party should be hidden from the guests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each prompt contains a text question in the prompt field, a hidden bit to indicate whether the answer should be hidden from display, and a storage area for the answer in the reply field.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These products do implicitly suggest that breastfeeding should be hidden.

The Guardian

Whether a television should be hidden, she said, depends in large part on where it is.

The New York Times

Yet even Perret assumed that the cars themselves should be hidden.

The New Yorker

It seems so typical that Hooke should be hidden for centuries behind another genius.

The Guardian - Books

But does that mean it should be hidden away and ignored?

The Guardian - Music

Decide which ones can be enhanced with greenery and which ones should be hidden.

The New York Times

Was it hard to figure out what you had to reveal and what should be hidden away?

The New Yorker

"Propaganda should not be obvious; propaganda should be hidden — then and only then can it be effective," continued Volin.

The New York Times

They have learned the lesson that they should be hidden in a rather more sophisticated place than a fake rock.

The Guardian

In either case, you will be rejecting the notion that your true self should be hidden away.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be hidden" in your writing, consider the ethical implications of concealing information. Ensure that the act of hiding something is justified and does not mislead or harm others.

Common error

Avoid using "should be hidden" in contexts that promote unfounded conspiracy theories. This phrase can inadvertently lend credibility to unsubstantiated claims that powerful entities are deliberately concealing information from the public.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be hidden" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase expressing obligation or recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, indicating something is advisable or necessary to conceal. It suggests a course of action deemed appropriate given certain circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be hidden" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies something ought to be concealed, whether for privacy, security, or ethical reasons. Ludwig AI identifies its consistent application across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. The phrase is grammatically sound, and its meaning is generally well-understood, though it's important to consider the ethical implications and potential for misuse. While alternative phrases like "ought to be concealed" or "needs to be obscured" exist, the core message remains consistent: certain things are better left unseen or unsaid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be concealed

Replaces "should" with "ought to", suggesting a moral obligation to hide something.

needs to be obscured

Emphasizes the necessity of making something unclear or vague.

is meant to be private

Focuses on the intention that something remains confidential.

is supposed to be secret

Implies there's an expectation or agreement that something remain unknown.

must remain undisclosed

Highlights the requirement that something not be revealed.

should not be revealed

Directly states that something should not be made public.

is better left unsaid

Suggests that something should be avoided in conversation.

is best kept quiet

Indicates that silence is the most appropriate course of action.

deserves to be protected

Focuses on safeguarding something from being seen or known.

is recommended to be masked

Advises that something be disguised or concealed.

FAQs

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

You can use "should be hidden" to suggest that something ought to be concealed or kept secret. For example, "The source of this information "should be hidden" to protect their identity."

What are some alternatives to "should be hidden"?

Alternatives include "ought to be concealed", "needs to be obscured", or "must remain undisclosed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to say something "should be hidden"?

It's appropriate when privacy, security, or ethical considerations require that certain information or aspects remain concealed. For instance, trade secrets or personal details often "should be hidden".

What is the difference between "should be hidden" and "must be hidden"?

"Should be hidden" suggests a recommendation or advisability, while "must be hidden" implies a stricter requirement or obligation. The latter indicates a higher level of necessity.