should be reduced

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "should be reduced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a need for something to be reduced or decreased. For example: "The amount of plastic waste produced by our company should be reduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he said benefits for settlers themselves should be reduced.

The New York Times

Civilian and contractor work forces should be reduced, they say.

The New York Times

This would challenge the consensus that aid to middle-income countries should be reduced.

The Guardian

It gives me a shivering to think that... a man should be reduced to it".

The New York Times - Books

Monthly salaries, at about €11,000 should be reduced to €5,000, Grillo said.

The Guardian - Business

The authors of the paper suggest that contact between infants and pets should be reduced.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is does not follow whether and by how much greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced.

The Guardian

The color bars on the terror alert system should be reduced to two for the public.

The New York Times

The estate tax should be reduced, he said, but not eliminated.

The New York Times

Their number should be reduced to allow representation of other faiths, the commission says.

The Guardian

Fruit and vegetables should be reduced in price to encourage greater uptake, she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be reduced", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being reduced and why. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "should be reduced" is grammatically correct, overuse can lead to a passive writing style. Consider rephrasing with a more active voice where appropriate, such as "we should reduce" or "it's necessary to reduce", to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be reduced" functions as a modal passive construction. 'Should' indicates obligation or recommendation, while 'be reduced' puts the focus on the entity undergoing the reduction rather than the actor performing the reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be reduced" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the need for something to be lessened or diminished. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a recommendation or obligation. The contexts in which it appears, as evidenced by the examples in Ludwig, span across news, scientific, and formal business domains. While overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for stylistic reasons, the phrase itself is widely accepted and understood. Alternatives include "ought to be lessened" and "needs to be diminished", each carrying slightly different connotations. Its frequency suggests it's a valuable and versatile tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be decreased

A direct synonym, simply replacing "reduced" with "decreased".

ought to be lessened

Indicates a moral obligation or advisability for something to decrease. Slightly more formal than the original phrase.

needs to be diminished

Emphasizes the necessity of decreasing something, often implying a negative impact if it isn't.

should be minimized

Focuses on reducing something to the smallest possible amount, implying a desire to eliminate it as much as possible.

has to be diminished

Indicates something needs to be reduced, indicating a sense of obligation or necessity.

should be curtailed

Suggests limiting or restricting something, often in a controlled manner.

must be lowered

Expresses a strong necessity for something to be made lower.

must be cut

Suggests a sharp or decisive reduction, often implying a need to save resources.

it's better to lessen

Indicates that it's preferable to reduce.

is advisable to decrease

Indicates that to decrease it is recommended.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be reduced" is used to express that something needs to be lessened or diminished. For example, "The amount of waste produced by the factory should be reduced." or "The budget deficit should be reduced through spending cuts".

What are some alternatives to "should be reduced"?

You can use alternatives such as "ought to be lessened", "needs to be diminished", or "must be lowered" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "should be reduced"?

While "should be reduced" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Emissions should be reduced", you could write "We should reduce emissions".

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

"Should be reduced" indicates a recommendation or suggestion, while "must be reduced" implies a stronger necessity or obligation. "Must be reduced" indicates something that is essential or required, whereas "should be reduced" conveys advisability.