should be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected or suggested to be lost, often in a hypothetical or conditional context. Example: "If the document is not submitted on time, it should be lost in the shuffle of paperwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither should be lost at this time.

The New York Times

Not all hope should be lost, however.

Independent

The right have the numbers, so it should be lost.

The Guardian

As the money available increases, none of the other lessons about international aid should be lost.

The New York Times

The reality of this situation should be lost on no one.

The New York Times

Opponents said that sports were a privilege that should be lost when parents opted out of the public school system.

The New York Times - Sports

Terry and Ferdinand are both Englishmen, with similar London accents, so nothing should be lost in translation between them.

The New York Times - Sports

Better yet, it won't close the apps that you've already got open, so nothing should be lost.

Independent

If the attacker does eventually guess correctly, the real data should be lost amongst the crowd of spoof data.

MIT Technology Review

It is of greater service to theater history to show us why a play should be lost no more.

The New York Times

If this book should be lost One can read my name here Done by me (myself) A.D. 1818" in an illuminated heart with flowers and a face.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be lost" to express a conditional expectation, ensure the context clearly establishes the condition. For example, "If data is not backed up regularly, it "should be lost" during a system failure."

Common error

Avoid using "should be lost" when a stronger, more direct expression of certainty is appropriate. Instead of saying "The game "should be lost"", consider "The game will be lost" if the outcome is definite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be lost" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase, expressing a conditional expectation, recommendation, or logical consequence. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It indicates a likely or desirable outcome under certain conditions, reflecting a potential state of disappearance or forfeiture.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be lost" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a conditional expectation, recommendation, or likely consequence regarding the loss of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While its register leans towards neutral and somewhat formal, careful attention to context and avoiding overuse in absolute statements will ensure effective communication. Consider alternatives like "ought to be forfeited" or "is expected to vanish" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to vanish

Focuses on the anticipated disappearance of something.

is liable to disappear

Suggests a probability of something vanishing or ceasing to exist.

is apt to fade

Focuses on the tendency of something to gradually disappear.

ought to be forfeited

Emphasizes the idea of something being surrendered or given up, implying a loss of possession.

risks being irretrievable

Emphasizes the potential for something to be impossible to recover.

must not be retained

Indicates a requirement to not keep or maintain something, leading to its loss.

deserves to be forgotten

Highlights the idea of something being intentionally disregarded or allowed to fade from memory.

should not be preserved

Highlights that something should not be maintained or kept in its current state.

needs to be discarded

Emphasizes the necessity of getting rid of something.

is better off gone

Suggests that the absence of something is preferable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be lost" is used to express a conditional expectation or a recommendation regarding something being lost. For example, "If data is not backed up, it "should be lost" in case of a system failure."

What are some alternatives to "should be lost"?

You can use alternatives such as "ought to be forfeited", "is expected to vanish", or "is liable to disappear" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "must be lost" instead of "should be lost"?

While both phrases relate to something being lost, "must be lost" implies a stronger sense of necessity or certainty, whereas "should be lost" suggests a recommendation or conditional expectation. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "should be lost" and "could be lost"?

"Should be lost" expresses a conditional expectation or a desired outcome, while "could be lost" indicates a possibility or potential for something to be lost. For example, "If the file is not saved, it "could be lost"", indicates a possibility, but "If the file isn't saved, it "should be lost" to prevent future mistakes" indicates a recommendation or an expectation.