should be paid

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'should be paid' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to something that someone should receive payment for. Example: All employees should be paid at least the minimum wage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Attention should be paid.

The New York Times - Arts

Taxes should be paid.

The Washington Post

"They should be paid what they deserve".

The New Yorker

And who, exactly, should be paid?

The Economist

should be paid toward its upbringing.

The New York Times

Thus, no special effort should be paid in programming.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

And how much money should be paid?

The New York Times

Your bill should be paid in full.

The New York Times - Travel

All teachers should be paid well.

The Guardian

They should be paid for their articles".

The Guardian

More attention should be paid to the toxicity of GO.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing contractual obligations, ensure that the terms of payment, including when and how someone "should be paid", are clearly defined in the agreement.

Common error

While "should be paid" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound vague. Whenever possible, consider restructuring the sentence to use active voice for more direct and impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be paid" functions as a passive construction indicating an obligation or expectation that someone or something is entitled to receive payment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be paid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating an obligation or expectation of payment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and even informal settings. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "ought to be compensated" or "is entitled to payment". Remember to consider the active voice for clearer and more direct communication where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be compensated

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a moral obligation, and "paid" with "compensated", a more formal synonym.

is due compensation

Implies that the payment is owed and legally or contractually required.

should receive compensation

This alternative replaces "be paid" with "receive compensation" which sounds slightly more formal but has essentially the same meaning.

deserves remuneration

Uses stronger vocabulary, implying that someone has earned the payment through their efforts or services.

is required to be paid

Stresses a mandatory payment, often dictated by rules or regulations.

is entitled to payment

Focuses on the legal or contractual right to receive money.

warrants compensation

Emphasizes that the situation justifies payment, often due to damages or losses.

is worthy of reimbursement

Suggests repayment for expenses incurred, rather than payment for services.

must be reimbursed

Indicates an obligation to repay someone for expenses they've incurred.

merits financial reward

Highlights the deserving nature of the recipient and frames the payment as a reward.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be paid" indicates an obligation or expectation of payment. For example: "All employees "should be paid" fairly for their work".

What's a more formal way to say "should be paid"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ought to be compensated" or "is entitled to payment".

What is the difference between "should be paid" and "must be paid"?

"Should be paid" implies a moral or ethical obligation, whereas "must be paid" suggests a legal or contractual requirement. The latter carries a stronger sense of enforcement.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "should be paid"?

While grammatically correct, "should be paid" may not always be the most direct or impactful way to express the idea. Consider whether active voice constructions might be clearer or more persuasive in certain contexts.