should have borne

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have borne" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a past obligation or expectation that was not fulfilled. Example: "She should have borne the consequences of her actions, but instead, she avoided responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The shysters of Sichuan, not the schoolkids, should have borne the brunt of the 2008 earthquake.

The Guardian - Opinion

That he should have borne both his inner struggles and heavy outer criticism with such grace is truly remarkable.

Independent

Still, Mr. Scully should have borne in mind the words of Michael Deaver, President Ronald Reagan's media guru who died last weekend: "I didn't make Ronald Reagan.

The New York Times

An adage I should have borne in mind before accepting an invitation to be the first journalist to be allowed to see the museum's completed galleries, and the first person to photograph the inside of the airy glass box at the top of the museum which will house the part of the Parthenon Marbles held by the Greeks.

The Guardian - Arts

Henceforth, his department will regularly measure more of the things that might put a smile on voters' faces: how long they can expect to live, for example, and the variety of wild bird populations in Britain.Perhaps Mr Blair should have borne all this in mind the next day.

The Economist

This is a strange choice, as the deceased had brothers who should have borne the responsibility of the burial.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This should have Bears fans very excited.

The New York Times - Sports

Women who have borne children should laugh at such male distress.

The New York Times - Health

A hint in these columns to the effect that women's perfume should be renamed, appears to have borne fruit in St . Louis

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, April 9 , 1949P. 23 A hint in these columns to the effect that women's perfume should be renamed, appears to have borne fruit in St . Louis

The New Yorker

By J. H. Leonard and Geoffrey T. Hellman The New Yorker, April 9 , 1949P. 23 A hint in these columns to the effect that women's perfume should be renamed, appears to have borne fruit in St . Louis

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should have borne" to express a past obligation that was not met, particularly when referring to carrying responsibilities or enduring hardships. For clarity, ensure the subject is clearly identified and the context makes the unfulfilled obligation apparent.

Common error

Avoid confusing "borne", the past participle of "bear", with "born", which refers to birth. "Should have borne" implies carrying a burden or responsibility, while "should have born" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have borne" functions as a modal perfect construction, indicating a missed obligation or expectation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have borne" expresses a past obligation or expectation that was not fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it is prevalent in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "ought to have carried" or "should have shouldered" for nuanced variations. A common error is confusing "borne" with "born", so be sure to distinguish between carrying a burden and birth. This comprehensive analysis equips writers with the knowledge to use "should have borne" effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have carried

This alternative uses "ought to" instead of "should", conveying a similar sense of moral obligation or expectation.

should have shouldered

Replaces "borne" with "shouldered", emphasizing the act of taking on responsibility or burden.

should have supported

Substitutes "borne" with "supported", focusing on the idea of providing assistance or upholding something.

should have sustained

Replaces "borne" with "sustained", highlighting the act of maintaining or enduring something over time.

needed to endure

This phrase shifts from 'should' to 'needed', highlighting the necessity to withstand the weight of responsibility.

was supposed to endure

This alternative uses "was supposed to" instead of "should have", indicating a prior agreement or plan.

had to tolerate

Replaces "should have borne" with "had to tolerate", focusing on the act of enduring something unpleasant or difficult.

was meant to withstand

This alternative uses "was meant to" instead of "should have", suggesting a predetermined purpose or design.

should have been responsible for

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the responsibility that was not fulfilled.

should have managed

Replaces "borne" with "managed", highlighting the ability to handle or control a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "should have borne" in a sentence?

Use "should have borne" to indicate that someone failed to fulfill a responsibility or endure something. For example, "The company should have borne the costs of the environmental cleanup."

What is the difference between "should have borne" and "should have born"?

"Should have borne" implies carrying or enduring something, while "should have born" is grammatically incorrect due to the misuse of "born" instead of "borne".

What are some alternatives to "should have borne"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to have carried", "should have shouldered", or "needed to endure" depending on the context.

Is "should have borne" formal or informal?

"Should have borne" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.