should be known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be known" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to be familiar or recognized by a certain audience or group. Example: "The basic principles of physics should be known by all science students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results should be known early next year.

The Economist

First of all, the claimant should be known.

L'Encéphale

"It should be known, not hidden in my cellar.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Giuliani also said, "All the facts should be known".

The New York Times

Perhaps Pete Rose should be known as Charlie Hustler.

The New York Times - Sports

It should be known as the decolonial scholarship.

The Guardian

Perhaps they should be known as the borrowing believers.

The New York Times

"It should be known who is behind them.

The New Yorker

Any charges should be known, Mr Anwar said.

The Economist

Therefore, the level of adhesion should be known for a given application.

Surface and Coatings Technology

To integrate compost into the crop rotation, however, the availability of nutrients should be known.

European Journal of Agronomy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be known" to emphasize the importance of certain information being widely understood or recognized within a specific context. For example, "These safety protocols should be known by all employees."

Common error

Avoid using "should be known" in overly casual or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "everyone knows" or "it's common knowledge" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be known" primarily functions as a modal passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a recommendation or expectation that something ought to be understood or recognized. The examples demonstrate its use in conveying the necessity of knowledge or awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be known" is a versatile modal passive construction frequently used to emphasize the importance of certain information being widely understood or recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase exhibits strong grammatical correctness and is commonly found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, leaning toward professional, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Related phrases like "ought to be recognized" or "needs to be understood" can provide suitable alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. Overall, "should be known" effectively conveys the necessity of knowledge or awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be recognized

Replaces "should" with "ought to", implying a moral obligation or advisability.

needs to be understood

Shifts focus to comprehension, emphasizing the importance of grasping the concept.

must be acknowledged

Highlights the necessity of admitting or recognizing something's existence or truth.

has to be recognized

Similar to "must be acknowledged" but with a slightly less formal tone.

is important to understand

Emphasizes the significance of comprehending a particular fact or idea.

it is essential to realize

Highlights the crucial aspect of a certain realization.

deserves to be recognized

Focuses on the merit or worthiness of something to be acknowledged.

warrants recognition

Indicates that something justifies or merits being recognized.

is worth knowing

Suggests that something is valuable or beneficial to be acquainted with.

merits attention

Emphasizes that something is worthy of being noticed or considered.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should be known" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "ought to be recognized", "must be acknowledged", or "needs to be understood". These options add a layer of authority and emphasis.

What's the difference between "should be known" and "should be notified"?

"Should be known" implies that information needs to be understood or recognized, while "should be notified" indicates that someone needs to be officially informed about something. The former concerns awareness, the latter concerns communication.

When is it appropriate to use "should be known" in a sentence?

Use "should be known" when you want to emphasize the importance of certain information being widely understood within a particular group or context. For example, "The company's mission statement should be known by all employees."

What are some alternatives to "should be known" that aren't as strong?

If you want to express that something is helpful but not essential to know, you could use phrases like "might be useful to know", "could be helpful to understand", or "is worth considering".