should be the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be the same" is correct and usable in written English in many contexts.
You can use it to express the idea that two things should have the same value or result. For example: "The games should be played on the same playing field; the conditions should be the same for both teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It should be the same".

The New Yorker

Music should be the same way.

The New York Times - Arts

It should be the same with LIBOR.

The Economist

Your financial strategy should be the same.

The New York Times

Privacy labels should be the same way".

The Guardian - Tech

It should be the same here".

The Guardian - Sport

It should be the same with antiquities.

The New York Times - Arts

It should be the same with friendship.

The Guardian

In music, it should be the same.

The New Yorker

(Belts and shoes should be the same color).

The New Yorker

Stores decided he should be the same regular Santa".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be the same" to clearly communicate expectations of equality or consistency between two or more elements. This avoids ambiguity in instructions or comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "should be the same" when describing subjective qualities or preferences, as this implies an objective standard that may not exist. Instead, use phrases like "should be similar" or "should be comparable" to acknowledge potential differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be the same" functions as a predicate adjective expressing an expected state of equivalence or identity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. It often links a subject to a desired or required condition of sameness, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be the same" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an expectation or requirement of equivalence. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in various contexts. It is versatile, fitting well in news articles, instructional guides, and scientific documents. Key related phrases include "ought to be identical" and "must be equivalent". A crucial writing tip is to avoid its use in subjective comparisons, maintaining its objective tone. The insights from Ludwig AI confirm its widespread applicability and grammatical correctness, making it a reliable choice in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be identical

Replaces "should be" with "ought to be" and "the same" with "identical", conveying a slightly stronger sense of obligation and precision.

must be equivalent

Substitutes "should be" with "must be" and "the same" with "equivalent", indicating a requirement for equality.

needs to be uniform

Replaces "should be the same" with "needs to be uniform", highlighting the necessity for consistency.

has to be consistent

Changes "should be the same" to "has to be consistent", focusing on the required regularity and absence of contradiction.

are expected to match

Transforms "should be the same" into "are expected to match", emphasizing an anticipated correspondence.

are required to align

Alters "should be the same" to "are required to align", specifying a mandatory agreement.

are supposed to be equal

Replaces "should be the same" with "are supposed to be equal", conveying an expectation of sameness.

must correspond

Simplifies "should be the same" to "must correspond", indicating a necessity for matching.

are meant to be indistinguishable

Replaces "should be the same" with "are meant to be indistinguishable", implying a design or intention for sameness to the point of being difficult to tell apart.

are intended to mirror each other

Changes "should be the same" to "are intended to mirror each other", suggesting that both things should reflect each other exactly.

FAQs

How can I use "should be the same" in a sentence?

Use "should be the same" to indicate an expectation of equality or consistency between two or more items or concepts. For example, "The settings on both devices "should be the same" for optimal performance."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "should be the same"?

Alternatives include "ought to be identical", "must be equivalent", or "needs to be uniform", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "should be the same" versus "should be similar"?

"Should be the same" implies an expectation of exact equality, while "should be similar" suggests a degree of likeness without requiring complete identity. Use "should be the same" when precision is important, and "should be similar" when some variation is acceptable.

Is "should be the same as" grammatically correct, and how does it differ from "should be the same"?

While "should be the same" is perfectly acceptable, "should be the same as" is also correct and commonly used. The addition of "as" can provide a clearer comparison, particularly when the item being compared is explicitly stated. For example, "The result "should be the same"" versus "The result "should be the same as" the previous experiment".