should be left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should be left' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when it is necessary to express that something should remain unchanged or undisturbed. For example: The original setting of the exhibit should be left untouched.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

Spaces should be left clean.

Harvard University

What should be left behind?

The Guardian

Medicare should be left alone".

The New York Times

It should be left alone".

The New York Times

Most Should Be Left Alone.

The New York Times - Health

Not one thing should be left out.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lines should be left-aligned, not justified.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be left", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is and why it is advisable to leave it in its current state. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be left" without clearly specifying what the 'it' refers to. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Always provide a clear subject for the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be left" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation, suggestion, or advisability. It expresses that a particular state or condition is preferable or that something ought to remain unchanged. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its appropriate usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be left" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to recommend maintaining the status quo. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. It indicates advisability or suggestion, implying that something is best kept in its current state. Common errors involve ambiguity, so ensuring clarity in usage is crucial. Alternatives such as "ought to remain" or "needs to stay" can be employed for semantic variation. Overall, "should be left" is a valuable tool in expressing recommendations for preserving conditions or states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to remain

Replaces "should" with "ought to", conveying a similar sense of obligation or advisability, and replaces 'be left' with 'remain'.

needs to stay

Emphasizes necessity and replaces "be left" with "stay", indicating a requirement for something to remain as it is.

must be kept

Highlights obligation and replaces "be left" with "kept", suggesting a need to maintain something in its current state.

has to stay

Conveys a sense of strong obligation or requirement, similar to "needs to stay".

should remain as is

Adds specificity by explicitly stating that something should stay in its present condition.

is best left

Suggests that leaving something untouched is the most optimal or advantageous course of action.

is better off staying

Implies that something will benefit from remaining in its current state or location.

is advisable to keep

Recommends keeping something in its current condition.

it's best not to alter

Expresses a recommendation to avoid making changes to something.

it's wiser to preserve

Indicates that preserving something in its current state is the most prudent course of action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be left" is used to express that something is best if it remains in its current state. For example, "The original artwork "should be left" untouched" or "This decision "should be left" to the experts".

What are some alternatives to "should be left"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "ought to remain", "needs to stay", or "must be kept".

When is it appropriate to use "should be left"?

It is appropriate when you want to advise or suggest that something is best maintained in its existing condition without changes. For instance, "The settings "should be left" as they are".

What does "should be left alone" mean?

"Should be left alone" means someone or something should not be bothered or interfered with. For example, "After the surgery, the patient "should be left alone" to rest".