should have been removed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have been removed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was expected to be taken away or eliminated in the past but was not. Example: "The outdated information should have been removed from the report before it was published."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That shame should have been removed immediately".

The Guardian - Sport

"The logos should have been removed sooner and we apologise if this has caused any confusion".

The Guardian

He is a very dangerous man who should have been removed from this country a long time ago".

The Guardian

Dr. Miles said an open catheter was an infection risk and should have been removed or attached to a bag.

The New York Times

Edelman, meanwhile, should have been removed immediately after he was slow to get up and showed signs of being dazed.

The New Yorker

Congressional leaders said any doubt about the need for action should have been removed by the market fall.

The New York Times

He should have been removed from the game immediately and taken to hospital for thorough tests and observation".

The Guardian - Sport

In Hindsight, these instruments should have been removed from the van at night, but they never were.

The New York Times

"The webpage should have been removed at that time and we are looking into why it is still visible two months later.

The Guardian - Business

Asked point-blank, this year, whether he thought MacArthur should have been removed because of events later in 1950, the General said.

The New Yorker

This article was amended on 19 January 2016 to delete a passage that should have been removed before publication as part of the editing process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should have been removed", ensure the context clearly indicates what action should have been taken and why it was necessary. Providing specific reasons adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying what "it" refers to when using "should have been removed". Ensure that the subject is easily identifiable to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have been removed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing regret, criticism, or a missed opportunity regarding a past action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something was necessary or advisable to be taken away or eliminated but wasn't. Examples found in Ludwig span diverse contexts, indicating broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should have been removed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something ought to have been taken away or eliminated in the past, but it wasn't. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to be deployed across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. It expresses regret, criticism, or highlights a missed opportunity. While it is acceptable to use, writers should be mindful to use it in context and ensure that they specify the agent that "should have been removed". Consider variations like "ought to have been taken away" to refine your meaning or writing style. Always ensure clarity to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have been eliminated

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of complete removal.

ought to have been taken away

Emphasizes a moral obligation or duty that was not fulfilled.

needed to be eliminated

Focuses on the necessity of eliminating something to achieve a desired outcome.

was supposed to be taken out

Indicates an expectation or plan that was not followed through.

the item should have been discarded

Highlights discarding or throwing something away.

it was imperative to discard

Highlights the critical importance of discarding something.

the content warranted deletion

Focuses on the justification for deleting content.

removal was advisable

Suggests that removing something would have been the best course of action.

it would have been preferable to excise

Indicates a preference for excising or cutting something out.

the measure should have been repealed

Specifically suggests invalidating or reversing a measure.

FAQs

How do you use "should have been removed" in a sentence?

Use "should have been removed" to express that something was necessary to take away or eliminate in the past, but it did not occur. For example: "The error "should have been removed" before publishing the document."

What are some alternatives to "should have been removed"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to have been taken away", "needed to be eliminated", or "was supposed to be taken out" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "should of been removed"?

No, "should of been removed" is incorrect. The correct form is "should have been removed". "Should've" is a contraction of "should have", not "should of".

What is the difference between "should have been removed" and "could have been removed"?

"Should have been removed" implies an obligation or necessity that wasn't met, while "could have been removed" suggests a possibility or option that wasn't taken. "Should" indicates a recommendation, whereas "could" indicates only possibility.