should be prevented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be prevented" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase to express an opinion that something should not occur. For example, "The spread of misinformation online should be prevented at all costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Major vaccine-preventable infectious diseases should be prevented.

The Guardian

The view that it should be prevented is preposterous.

The Guardian

"I don't think we should be prevented for talking about the the implications of science".

The Guardian

False or misleading advertising should be prevented and punished, whenever and wherever it occurs.

The New York Times

Perhaps, he said, Muslims should be prevented from travelling and, if necessary, be deported.

Independent

Therefore, they should be prevented.

Chemical Engineering Science

Patient agitation should be prevented to avoid inadvertent disconnection.

Annals of Intensive Care

Since depression in childhood can persist into adulthood, it should be prevented as early as possible.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Therefore, the protein aggregates should be prevented during the nanoparticle preparation steps.

Nanoscale Research Letters

(Expert opinion) Strong agreement   4.3.1.5 Patient agitation should be prevented to avoid inadvertent disconnection.

Annals of Intensive Care

Thus land-use changes that drive losses in biodiversity should be prevented [9].

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be prevented", clearly state what action or event you are referring to in order to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "This should be prevented", specify "The spread of misinformation should be prevented."

Common error

While "should be prevented" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using active voice for more impactful statements. For example, instead of "Mistakes should be prevented", try "We should prevent mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be prevented" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that an action or event needs to be stopped or averted. As evidenced by Ludwig, it expresses a recommendation or necessity for preventative action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be prevented" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the necessity of stopping something from happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news and media, and formal communications. While the phrase is versatile, paying attention to the specific context and using active voice when appropriate can enhance clarity and impact. The phrase's frequency is very common, indicating its widespread acceptance and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be avoided

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a moral obligation or advisability, slightly more formal.

needs to be stopped

Uses "needs to be" to emphasize the necessity of stopping something, implying urgency.

must be averted

Employs "must" and "averted" to convey a strong sense of obligation and prevention of something undesirable, more emphatic and elevated in tone.

has to be precluded

Uses "has to be" to emphasize the necessity and "precluded" to denote preventing something from happening or being considered, more formal and decisive.

should be avoided at all costs

Adds "at all costs" to underscore the importance of preventing something, emphasizing the lengths one should go to avoid it.

it is imperative to prevent

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the imperative nature of prevention, making it more direct and forceful.

it is crucial to impede

Uses "crucial" and "impede" to stress the critical importance of hindering or obstructing something, more formal.

it's essential to deter

Replaces "should" with "it's essential to" and uses "deter" to imply discouraging or preventing something through fear or doubt.

it is vital to suppress

Employs "vital" and "suppress" to highlight the crucial importance of preventing or restraining something, often implying force or authority.

it's necessary to inhibit

Replaces "should" with "it's necessary to" and uses "inhibit" to mean restraining or preventing something, often in a technical or scientific context.

FAQs

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

Use "should be prevented" to express that something undesirable needs to be stopped from happening. For example, "Accidents should be prevented through proper safety measures" or "The spread of rumors should be prevented."

What are some alternatives to "should be prevented"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to be avoided", "must be averted", or "needs to be stopped" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "should be prevented" formal or informal?

"Should be prevented" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrases like "needs to stop" or "has to be avoided."

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

"Should be prevented" suggests a recommendation or advisability, while "must be prevented" implies a stronger obligation or necessity. The latter conveys a greater sense of urgency or importance.