should be more than

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be more than" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express a comparison: "This book should be more than 440 pages long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surely that should be more than enough?

The Economist

"It should be more than a hundred and fifty thousand".

The New Yorker

That should be more than enough.

The New York Times - Books

She should be more than astonished, I feel.

The Guardian - Books

Well frankly the FA should be more than disappointed.

The Guardian - Sport

(You should be more than a business expense).

The New Yorker

But "Don Quixote" can, and should, be more than amiable.

The New York Times - Arts

I think politics should be more than skin-deep.

The Guardian

"Ethical conduct in government should be more than an aspiration.

The New York Times

Under state law, there should be more than 100.

The New York Times

No sentence should be more than 14 words long.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be more than", consider whether a stronger or more specific verb would improve the clarity and impact of your statement. For example, 'must exceed' or 'is required to surpass' might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "should be more than" in contexts where the comparison is unclear or subjective. For example, instead of saying 'the project should be more than just adequate', specify what additional qualities or outcomes are expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be more than" functions primarily as a comparator, expressing an expectation that something surpasses a specific threshold or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is often to set expectations or express necessary improvements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

43%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be more than" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is expected to exceed a certain level, whether in quantity, quality, or degree. As Ludwig AI notes, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: make sure the threshold for comparison is well-defined. While perfectly acceptable, consider alternatives such as "must exceed" or "is required to surpass" for greater emphasis. Avoid vagueness to ensure the phrase's effectiveness in setting expectations or suggesting improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be greater than

Conveys a mandatory condition, making it more forceful.

is required to exceed

Emphasizes a strict requirement to surpass a certain value.

ought to exceed

Changes from a suggestion to a stronger obligation or expectation.

needs to surpass

Emphasizes a requirement to go beyond a certain level.

should go beyond

Implies surpassing limitations or conventional boundaries.

should at least equal

Expresses a minimum acceptable level instead of a level to exceed.

is expected to outperform

Shifts the focus to performance exceeding expectations.

has to be larger than

Focuses on physical size or quantity being greater.

needs to overreach

Suggests extending beyond normal limits, sometimes with a negative connotation.

must transcend

Indicates going beyond ordinary or common limits, often in a philosophical context.

FAQs

How can I use "should be more than" in a sentence?

You can use "should be more than" to indicate that something is expected to exceed a certain quantity, quality, or degree. For example, "The effort put into this project "should be more than" just a formality."

What are some alternatives to "should be more than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "must exceed", "needs to surpass", or "is required to exceed" as alternatives to "should be more than".

Is it ever incorrect to use "should be more than"?

While grammatically correct, using "should be more than" can be vague if the comparison point is not clear. Ensure that the threshold being surpassed is well-defined to avoid ambiguity.

How does "should be more than" compare to "must be more than"?

"Should be more than" indicates a recommendation or expectation, whereas "must be more than" implies a stronger requirement or necessity. The choice depends on the level of obligation you wish to convey.