should not be

USAGE SUMMARY

"should not be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when expressing prohibition, obligation, expectation or advice. Example: You should not be late for class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It should not be.

The New York Times - Sports

This should not be.

The New York Times

They should not be.

The New York Times - Books

"That should not be".

The New York Times

He should not be.

The New York Times - Books

"Or it should not be".

The New Yorker

It should not be feared.

The Economist

We should not be afraid.

The New York Times

It should not be missed.

The New York Times - Arts

Alcohol should not be banned.

The Economist

This should not be happening".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should not be" to express recommendations, polite commands, or to describe an action that is best avoided. For stronger prohibitions, consider alternatives like "must not be".

Common error

While "should not be" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise phrasing like "is prohibited" or "is inadvisable" for increased clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not be" primarily functions as an auxiliary verb phrase expressing prohibition, obligation, expectation, or advice. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness. It is used to suggest that something is undesirable or against a recommendation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should not be" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express prohibition, obligation, expectation, or advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, though stronger alternatives may be preferred in highly formal settings. The phrase sees frequent usage in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki sources. Remember to choose precise phrasing based on your intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not be

Expresses a stronger prohibition than "should not be".

ought not to be

A more formal and sometimes weaker version of "should not be".

is not supposed to be

Implies an expectation or rule being broken, similar to "should not be".

is not allowed to be

Indicates a lack of permission, related to the sense of prohibition in "should not be".

cannot be

Expresses impossibility or strong prohibition.

may not be

Indicates that something is not permitted or advisable.

is not to be

A more emphatic way of saying something is prohibited or undesirable.

must never be

Emphasizes a permanent prohibition.

is forbidden to be

Highlights a formal prohibition.

is inadvisable to be

Suggests something is not a good idea.

FAQs

How do I use "should not be" in a sentence?

Use "should not be" to express an action that is best avoided or a recommendation. For example, "You "should not be" late for the meeting" suggests it's important to be on time.

What can I say instead of "should not be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "must not be" for stronger prohibitions, or "ought not to be" for a more formal tone.

Which is correct, "should not be" or "shouldn't be"?

"Should not be" is more formal, while "shouldn't be" is a contraction used in informal contexts. Both are grammatically correct, but choose the one that suits the tone of your writing.

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

"Should not be" indicates a recommendation or expectation, while "cannot be" expresses impossibility or a strong prohibition. "You "should not be" here" suggests it's not advisable, but "You "cannot be" here" means it's forbidden or impossible.