should do the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should do the same" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when suggesting that someone follow a similar action or behavior as another person or group. Example: "If she completed the project on time, you should do the same." Alternative expressions include "ought to do the same," "must do the same," and "need to do the same."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Banks should do the same.

The New York Times

And more companies should do the same.

The New York Times

It should do the same over crime.

The New York Times

Nato should do the same again.

Independent

The federal government should do the same.

The New York Times

And you should do the same.

The New York Times

Aston Martin should do the same.

Independent

Every state should do the same thing.

The New York Times

The Obama administration should do the same.

The New York Times

The Satmar community should do the same.

The New York Times

He suggests Abbott should do the same.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should do the same", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'the same' refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should do the same" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows exactly what action or behavior is being recommended for duplication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should do the same" functions as a directive, suggesting or recommending that someone take a similar action to what has already been mentioned. Ludwig's examples illustrate this across various contexts, from business decisions to government policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should do the same" is a common and versatile directive, used to recommend replicating a previous action or behavior. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally neutral in tone, ensuring a clear reference for 'the same' is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "should follow suit" or "should do likewise" can offer slightly different nuances or levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should do likewise

A more formal way of saying "should do the same".

should follow suit

Emphasizes imitating a successful or established action.

should take the same action

Directly indicates performing the identical action.

should act accordingly

Highlights behaving in a way that is appropriate or expected given a particular situation.

should emulate that

Focuses on imitating someone or something admired.

should take a similar approach

Focuses on adopting a comparable method or strategy.

should replicate that

Stresses duplicating a specific action or result.

should proceed similarly

Indicates adopting a comparable approach or method.

should mirror that

Suggests reflecting or closely resembling a previous action.

should repeat the process

Highlights the repetition of a series of actions.

FAQs

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

Use "should do the same" to suggest someone take a similar action to what was previously mentioned. For example, "If they invested in that company, you "should do the same"".

What's a more formal alternative to "should do the same"?

A more formal alternative is "should do likewise". It carries the same meaning but is better suited for professional or academic contexts.

Is "should do the same thing" grammatically different from "should do the same"?

While "should do the same thing" isn't incorrect, "should do the same" is more concise and commonly used. The meaning remains the same.

When is it appropriate to use "should emulate that" instead of "should do the same"?

Use "should emulate that" when you're specifically suggesting imitating something admirable or successful, whereas "should do the same" is a more general recommendation to repeat an action.