should contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should contain" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is often used to give a recommendation or suggestion, or to express an obligation or requirement. Example: "When writing a research paper, it is important that your thesis statement should contain your main argument in a concise and clear manner."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A newspaper should contain news.

Independent

He should contain his excitement.

The Guardian - Business

(Odd that his surname should contain both).

The New York Times

It should contain only a few important numbers.

The New York Times

One stack should contain legislation which enjoys bipartisan support.

The Washington Post

Each vial should contain a final Sav FBS = 100 μM.

Nature

Your schedule should contain a block for eating lunch already.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Your proposal should contain the following six sections below.

Stanford University

Submissions from composers should contain scores and matching recordings.

Yale University

The list should contain only U.S. registered vessels.

Cornell University

Now it should contain also many papers by other authors.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should contain", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are expressing a recommendation, expectation, or requirement. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "should contain" in formal or scientific writing, which can sometimes sound prescriptive. Instead, use more precise and objective language such as "is required to include" or "is composed of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should contain" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a recommendation, expectation, or requirement regarding the inclusion of specific elements within something. Ludwig shows the phrase in contexts ranging from academic writing to product descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

35%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should contain" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express expectations, recommendations, or requirements regarding the inclusion of specific elements. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as illustrated by the numerous examples from reliable sources. It is particularly prevalent in academic, scientific, and news-related writing. While useful, it's important to consider context and avoid overuse in overly formal settings, opting for more precise language when appropriate. Alternatives like "ought to include" or "must incorporate" may be suitable depending on the intended level of obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to include

Replaces "should" with "ought to", maintaining a similar sense of obligation or expectation but can sometimes sound more formal.

needs to have

Emphasizes a necessity for inclusion, shifting from a recommendation to a requirement.

must incorporate

Highlights the essential integration of something within a larger context.

is required to feature

Stresses a mandatory aspect of including something, often used in specifications or regulations.

is expected to hold

Indicates a degree of anticipation that something will be included, often based on established norms.

is designed to comprise

Focuses on the intended components of something, typically used when describing designs or structures.

is meant to embody

Implies that something should represent or include certain characteristics or elements.

is inclusive of

Directly states that something encompasses or contains specific elements.

is composed of

Highlights the elements that make up a whole, emphasizing the compositional aspect.

entails

Suggests that something necessarily involves or includes certain elements as a consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "should contain" in a sentence?

Use "should contain" to indicate that something is expected or recommended to include certain elements. For example, "A good essay "should contain a clear thesis" statement and supporting evidence".

What are some alternatives to "should contain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ought to include", "needs to have", or "must incorporate" to express similar ideas.

Is it better to say "should contain" or "must contain"?

The choice between "should contain" and "must contain" depends on the level of obligation. "Should contain" suggests a recommendation or expectation, while "must contain" indicates a strict requirement.

What is the difference between "should contain" and "could contain"?

"Should contain" implies a degree of expectation or recommendation, whereas "could contain" indicates a possibility or potential. For instance, "The report "could contain errors"" suggests there's a chance of errors, but it's not necessarily expected.