should be withheld

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be withheld" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing information or actions that ought to be kept back or not disclosed for various reasons, such as confidentiality or sensitivity. Example: "In cases of legal disputes, certain documents should be withheld until the matter is resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

American approval of this war should be withheld until then.

The New York Times

Ms Abraham said that some advice should be withheld.

The Guardian

The optimum period of time that aspirin should be withheld is controversial.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

"There is no reason why that part of Americana should be withheld from girls".

The New York Times

It is unthinkable that mammograms should be withheld until the age of 50.

The New York Times

"I thought that the letter was unwarranted and unhelpful and should be withheld".

The New York Times

"There's no reason why information that vital should be withheld," Mr. Daschle said.

The New York Times

Judge Kaplan said he would review the documents and decide whether they should be withheld.

The New York Times - Arts

Why should it seem so natural that they should be withheld from us, policed and disciplined?

The Guardian - Opinion

The British government agreed that some information should be withheld from the inquest, in the name of national security.

Independent

Given the government's insistence on repressing its people and pursuing a self-destructive course, that money should be withheld.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When deciding whether something "should be withheld", carefully consider the ethical and legal implications of doing so. Ensure that withholding information or action aligns with established policies and principles.

Common error

Avoid using "should be withheld" as a default response. Always provide a clear and logical rationale for why information or action is being kept back, such as protecting privacy, maintaining security, or complying with regulations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be withheld" functions as a passive construction indicating that an action or piece of information is subject to being kept back or suppressed. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

28%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be withheld" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that something ought to be kept back or not disclosed, and it commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide clear justifications for its use, avoiding overuse without rationale. Consider related phrases like "ought to be suppressed" or "must be deferred" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse formal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not be disclosed

This directly addresses the act of revealing information, making it clear that the information is not meant to be shared.

should be kept secret

By using the word "secret", the focus moves to the characteristic of being hidden, emphasizing a different aspect of keeping information back.

should be temporarily delayed

By changing the verb to "delayed", this emphasizes the temporary nature of postponing something.

ought to be suppressed

This alternative replaces "should" with "ought to", adding a slightly stronger sense of obligation, and uses "suppressed" instead of "withheld", which implies a more forceful keeping back.

should be temporarily suspended

This emphasizes the temporary nature of the action, highlighting a pause or interruption rather than a permanent withholding.

needs to be retained

This phrase replaces "should" with "needs to", indicating a necessity, and "withheld" with "retained", suggesting a keeping for future use or reference.

should be put on hold

This is a more informal way of saying something should be temporarily stopped or delayed.

must be deferred

"Must be deferred" implies a mandatory postponement, differing from "should be withheld" by emphasizing the timing aspect of the action.

is to be restricted

This alternative uses "is to be" to denote a planned action and "restricted" to mean limited or kept under control, varying the emphasis from simply holding back.

has to be kept confidential

This emphasizes the necessity of maintaining secrecy, adding a layer of confidentiality not explicitly present in the original phrase.

FAQs

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

The phrase "should be withheld" indicates that something ought to be kept back or not disclosed. For example, "This information "should be withheld" until the investigation is complete."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought to be suppressed", "needs to be retained", or "must be deferred" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey different levels of obligation. "Should be withheld" suggests a recommendation, while "must be withheld" implies a stricter requirement.

What's the difference between "should be withheld" and "should not be disclosed"?

"Should be withheld" generally implies keeping something back, while "should not be disclosed" specifically refers to keeping information secret or private. The former can apply to both information and actions, while the latter primarily relates to information.