should be relieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be relieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone is expected to feel a sense of relief or comfort about a situation. Example: "After hearing the good news, she should be relieved to know that everything is going to be okay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He must think we should be relieved.

The New York Times

Hollande said European partners should be relieved and not frightened by his presidency.

Independent

The process would not be pretty but overall, investors should be relieved by the result.

The Economist

And now maybe they should be relieved of the cultural prize too.

Independent

Professor Singer had drawn protests by insisting that suffering should be relieved without regard to species.

The New York Times

While the BBC has reason to fear, civil servants at the DCMS should be relieved.

The Guardian

Another macho movie man who should be relieved of his educational duties is Indiana Jones.

The Guardian - Film

But if that's the goal, they should be relieved that the project is in limbo.

The New York Times

But that doesn't mean that leaders should be relieved of the opportunity — no, the obligation — to behave like, well, leaders.

The New York Times

"They should be relieved at the prospect that the media is just talking about a hurricane," Mr. Dean said.

The New York Times

Constipation, for example, should be relieved by drinking more fluids and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be relieved" when you want to express that someone is expected or justified in feeling a sense of relief due to a favorable outcome or change in circumstances. This often implies a prior state of worry or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "should be relieved" when you mean someone should actively provide relief to others. "Relieved" in this construction is passive; it describes the state of the person receiving relief, not giving it. For active relief-giving, consider "should provide relief" or "should alleviate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be relieved" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing expectation or advisability combined with a passive verb construction indicating a state of being. It suggests that a person or entity has reason to feel a reduction in stress or worry. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be relieved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that suggests an expected or justified feeling of relief, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a modal phrase with a passive construction, commonly appearing in neutral contexts such as news and media, science, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's essential to understand its passive nature and avoid confusing it with active relief-giving. By considering related phrases and common errors, writers can effectively use "should be relieved" to accurately convey the intended meaning. The examples and analysis provided here offer practical guidance for using this phrase in various contexts, ensuring clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to feel reassured

Replaces "should be relieved" with a more formal modal verb and emphasizes the feeling of reassurance.

can breathe a sigh of relief

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate the feeling of relief.

should find comfort

Shifts the focus from relief to finding a sense of comfort or solace.

should be comforted

A more passive construction emphasizing the receipt of comfort.

can put their mind at ease

Focuses on mental comfort and peace of mind.

can rest easy

An informal way of saying that someone should feel secure and without worry.

should be freed from worry

Focuses on the removal of worry as a result of a situation.

should experience alleviation

A more formal and less common way of saying that a burden should be lessened.

should see improvement

Shifts the focus to an expected positive change or betterment of a situation.

should be discharged

Implies release from a duty or obligation.

FAQs

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

Use "should be relieved" to indicate that someone has reason to feel less worried or stressed about a situation. For example, "After the surgery, he "should be relieved" that the tumor was benign."

What are some alternatives to "should be relieved"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ought to feel reassured", "can breathe a sigh of relief", or "can rest easy".

Is it correct to say "should have been relieved"?

Yes, "should have been relieved" is correct and indicates that someone had a past opportunity to feel relieved but may not have. For example, "He "should have been relieved" when he heard the news."

What is the difference between "should be relieved" and "should be relieved of"?

"Should be relieved" means someone is expected to feel a sense of relief. "Should be relieved of" means someone is expected to be removed from a duty or responsibility. For example, "He "should be relieved" that the storm passed" versus "He "should be relieved of" his duties".