should be leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is expected to depart or exit at a certain time or under certain circumstances. Example: "If we want to catch the train, we should be leaving soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He should be leaving like a hero".

The New York Times

"Happen it's you who should be leaving," he said.

The Guardian - Books

"We should not be making any assumptions, we should be leaving the investigation to police".

Independent

She should be leaving anyway — it was too cold now, with the wind off the ocean.

The New Yorker

This is the kind of message restaurant employees should be leaving on receipts.

The New York Times

"Credit to Charlton, but with the clear opportunities we had we should be leaving with the three points.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Should be left.

The New Yorker

should be left uncorrected.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hurdling should be left to the experts.

The New York Times - Sports

The price should be left on.

Independent

What should be left behind?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be leaving", ensure the context clearly indicates who is expected to leave and the reason for their departure. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

While "should be leaving" is acceptable in most contexts, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "ought to depart" or "are expected to leave" may be more suitable for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be leaving" functions as a modal verb construction, indicating a sense of expectation, advisability, or obligation concerning a future departure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be leaving" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an expected or advisable departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this modal verb construction is frequently found in news and media, and it serves the purpose of communicating plans, deadlines, or recommendations. While it’s generally acceptable, it’s important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "ought to be departing" in professional settings. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "should be leaving" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be departing

Uses "ought to" for a slightly more formal tone indicating obligation or moral duty.

are expected to leave

Focuses on the expectation of departure.

need to be going

Emphasizes the necessity of leaving, often due to time constraints or other requirements.

have to depart

Highlights the obligation or requirement to leave.

it's advisable to depart

Highlights the recommended nature of leaving.

must take off

Emphasizes urgency and informality of leaving.

best be heading out

Offers a casual tone, suggesting it's a good idea to leave soon.

are required to exit

Formal phrasing emphasizing a mandatory exit.

should commence departure

A more formal and less common way of expressing the start of leaving.

it's time to go

Simplifies the expression to a general statement about leaving.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be leaving" indicates an expectation, obligation, or advisability of departing. For example: "If we want to catch the early train, we "should be leaving" by 6 AM".

What are some alternatives to "should be leaving"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "ought to be departing", "need to be going", or "are expected to leave".

Is it correct to say "should be leave" instead of "should be leaving"?

No, "should be leave" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "should be leaving", which uses the present participle of the verb "leave".

What's the difference between "should be leaving" and "must leave"?

"Should be leaving" implies a recommendation or expectation, while "must leave" indicates a stronger obligation or necessity. For example, "We "should be leaving" soon to arrive on time" versus "We "must leave" immediately due to the emergency".