should be prohibited

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be prohibited" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not allowed and should not be done. For example, "Smoking in public places should be prohibited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dancing should be prohibited.

The New York Times

They should be prohibited and swiftly punished.

The New York Times

They should be prohibited from donating blood or sperm.

The New Yorker

These kinds of inappropriate farewells should be prohibited.

The Guardian - Sport

Pennsylvania judges should be prohibited from accepting gifts altogether just like judges in most other states.

The New York Times

Also discusses whether or not gift-giving for teachers should be prohibited….

The New Yorker

LONDON — "It should be prohibited to say which is the best player in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

Minutes and attendance should be taken by a stenographer and proxy voting should be prohibited.

The New York Times

Prison officials almost universally agree that certain books should be prohibited.

The New York Times

To avoid this blooper, copying of information and pasting the same in different parts of a site should be prohibited.

Web Bloopers 60 Common Web Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

And if we have a responsibility, then it is to learn, now, before somebody concludes that learning should be prohibited.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be prohibited", be specific about what action or object is being prohibited to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It should be prohibited", specify "Public smoking should be prohibited."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "should be prohibited" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "isn't allowed" or "can't be done" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be prohibited" functions as a modal passive construction, expressing that an action or thing ought not to be permitted. Ludwig examples show it's used to express disapproval or call for restrictions on various activities. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be prohibited" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for advocating restrictions or bans. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. Appearing most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, its formality level ranges from neutral to formal. When using it, ensure specificity to avoid ambiguity and be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly formal. While various alternatives exist, such as "ought to be banned" or "must not be allowed", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be banned

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a moral obligation or advisability rather than a strict rule; "banned" is a strong synonym for "prohibited".

must not be allowed

Replaces "should" with "must not", indicating necessity; "allowed" is a direct opposite of "prohibited".

is strictly forbidden

Uses a more emphatic tone by stating something "is" forbidden rather than "should be".

is not permissible

Replaces "prohibited" with the more formal "not permissible".

cannot be tolerated

Shifts the focus to acceptance rather than direct prohibition, implying a strong disapproval.

is out of the question

Conveys that something is not even worth considering, emphasizing its unacceptability.

is against the rules

Simplifies the expression to refer directly to rules, suitable for less formal contexts.

is off-limits

Uses a colloquial expression to indicate that something is not allowed.

should be discouraged

Suggests a weaker form of prohibition, focusing on dissuasion rather than outright banning.

is inadvisable

Indicates that an action is not recommended due to potential negative consequences.

FAQs

How to use "should be prohibited" in a sentence?

Use "should be prohibited" to express that something is not allowed or advisable. For example, "The sale of assault weapons "should be prohibited"."

What can I say instead of "should be prohibited"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to be banned", "must not be allowed", or "is strictly forbidden" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should be prohibited" or "must be prohibited"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "must be prohibited" expresses a stronger sense of necessity compared to ""should be prohibited"".

Is "should be prohibited" formal or informal?

"Should be prohibited" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, phrases like "isn't allowed" or "can't be done" might be more appropriate.