should be identical

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be identical" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when comparing two or more things to indicate that the objects being compared ought to be exactly the same. For example, "The two documents should be identical, so only one needs to be printed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results in both labs should be identical.

The New York Times

How much should be identical across campuses and how much should be adapted to local context?

The Guardian

Any U.S. and EU sanctions packages should be identical, in his view.

The Guardian

In principle, the obtained response should be identical to the green yet, it is not.

Nature

All glasses in a tasting should be identical and filled to the same level.

Wine Tasting A Professional Handbook

If and are same for any systems with different wavelengths λ = 2πc/ω, the physical process should be identical in these systems12.

Nature

Previously they'd assumed these conditions should be identical to the ones used to make the starting batch of nanotubes, but it didn't work very well.

MIT Technology Review

"These antiatoms should be identical to normal matter hydrogen atoms, so we are pretty sure all of them are in the ground state after a second," Wurtele said.

University of California, Berkeley

The AlphaBetaAgent minimax values should be identical to the MinimaxAgent minimax values, although the actions it selects can vary because of different tie-breaking behavior.

University of California, Berkeley

In order to reduce systematic uncertainties, the target volume should be identical to a level of less than 0.1% between the near and far detectors.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The main drawback of the MUSIC method is that the unavoidable measurement noise should be identical for all the channels of measurement system.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be identical" when emphasizing an expected or theoretically mandated equivalence between two or more entities. Be aware of nuances; "must be identical" expresses a stronger requirement.

Common error

Avoid using "should be identical" in situations where near similarity or equivalence is sufficient. Opt for alternatives like "similar" or "comparable" when exact identity isn't essential, maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be identical" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an expectation or requirement for two or more entities to be exactly the same. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts to support this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be identical" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys an expectation or requirement for sameness. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral to formal, its usage depends on the context, with alternatives like "ought to be the same" or "must be identical" offering subtle differences in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended degree of equivalence and the specific context to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be the same

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a moral obligation or strong expectation of sameness.

are expected to be identical

Emphasizes the expectation of sameness rather than a requirement.

are meant to be identical

Highlights the intended or designed sameness.

must be identical

Conveys a stronger sense of necessity or requirement for sameness.

are required to be identical

Explicitly states the requirement for sameness.

should be equivalent

Substitutes "identical" with "equivalent", suggesting functional sameness rather than exact duplication.

should be indistinguishable

Focuses on the inability to perceive any difference between the items.

should correspond exactly

Emphasizes the precise matching or alignment of the items.

should mirror each other

Uses a metaphorical comparison to mirroring, suggesting a close reflection of sameness.

should align perfectly

Indicates that the items being compared should be in perfect agreement or alignment.

FAQs

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

Use "should be identical" to express that two or more things are expected to be exactly the same. For example, "The results from both experiments "should be identical" if the conditions are controlled."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought to be the same", "must be identical", or "should be equivalent" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "should be identical" or "must be identical"?

The choice between "should be identical" and "must be identical" depends on the degree of necessity. "Should be identical" implies an expectation, while "must be identical" indicates a stricter requirement with little to no room for deviation.

What's the difference between "should be identical" and "should be equivalent"?

"Should be identical" suggests an exact match in all aspects. "Should be equivalent", on the other hand, implies a functional similarity where the two things serve the same purpose or have the same effect, even if they are not exactly the same in every detail.