should be realistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be realistic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing expectations, goals, or plans that need to be practical and achievable. Example: "When setting your project goals, they should be realistic to ensure that the team can meet them within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It should be realistic.

The New York Times

Your expectations should be realistic.

The Guardian

But we should be realistic, here.

The Economist

But we should be realistic about them.

The New York Times

But we should be realistic, too.

The New York Times

"We should be realistic," Ms. Shirk said.

The New York Times

We should be realistic about what this implies.

The New York Times

Of course some people believe that games should be realistic.

The New York Times - Arts

We should be realistic and keep encouraging them to move in the direction of solid democracy".

The New York Times

But Mr. Conklin said the orders should be realistic, based on the ability to pay.

The New York Times

(You do not need to use real world statistics, but your imaginary data should be realistic).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting goals, ensure they "should be realistic" by considering available resources, time constraints, and potential challenges. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and failure.

Common error

Avoid setting expectations that are too high or based on ideal scenarios. Before making plans, verify that they "should be realistic" to prevent disappointment and wasted effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be realistic" functions as a modal phrase expressing a recommendation or necessity for something to align with reality and practical possibilities. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be realistic" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the need for practicality and achievable expectations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. To ensure effective communication, consider related phrases like ""ought to be practical"" or ""must be achievable"" to fine-tune the nuance of your message. When setting goals, be sure they "should be realistic" by assessing available resources and potential challenges. Avoid overly optimistic expectations to prevent disappointment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be practical

Replaces "realistic" with "practical", focusing on the usefulness and applicability of something.

must be achievable

Substitutes "should" with "must" and "realistic" with "achievable", strengthening the necessity of attainability.

needs to be feasible

Replaces "should" with "needs to" and "realistic" with "feasible", highlighting the possibility of being done easily or conveniently.

has to be attainable

Uses "has to be" instead of "should be", and "attainable" for "realistic", emphasizing the ability to reach a certain goal.

should be down-to-earth

Replaces "realistic" with "down-to-earth", indicating a grounded and practical perspective.

should be within reason

Emphasizes that something should be logical and sensible.

should be viable

Focuses on the capability of something to work successfully.

should be pragmatic

Highlights the practical and sensible approach.

should be grounded in reality

Emphasizes that something should be based on real-world conditions.

should be based on facts

Focuses on being factual and evidence-based.

FAQs

How can I make sure my goals "should be realistic"?

To ensure your goals "should be realistic", assess available resources, consider potential obstacles, and set achievable milestones. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks.

What does it mean when someone says my expectations "should be realistic"?

When someone suggests your expectations "should be realistic", it means they believe your expectations are too high or not grounded in reality. They are advising you to reassess and consider more practical outcomes.

What can I say instead of "expectations should be realistic"?

You can use alternatives like "expectations "ought to be practical"", "expectations "must be achievable"", or "expectations "need to be feasible"" depending on the context.

Why is it important that plans "should be realistic"?

It's important that plans "should be realistic" because it increases the likelihood of successful implementation and prevents wasted resources. Realistic plans are based on actual capabilities and circumstances.