should not be trusted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not be trusted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or skepticism about the reliability or credibility of a person, source, or information. Example: "Given the inconsistencies in his story, it seems clear that he should not be trusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Organizations such as Blackwater — and the mercenaries they employ — should not be trusted to prosecute America's wars, detractors say.

The Washington Post

Dictators, tyrants and megalomaniacs should not be trusted.

The New York Times

This site should not be trusted". There is no actual problem with the certificate returned.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Old friend Like "particular friend", this term should not be trusted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As in previous cases, others warned that Mr. Trump's promises should not be trusted.

The New York Times

Labour said Ukip's claims to believe in a free NHS should not be trusted.

The Guardian

Their embrace of new rules is welcome, but should not be trusted without verification.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Although Shapiro did not say how McCabe would undercut that description, prosecutors suggested that his testimony--no matter what it is--should not be trusted.

Los Angeles Times

Reads, which could be mapped with many mismatches should not be trusted and mutations, which are only backed by a small fraction of reads should be discarded.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

The Nash equilibrium has a paranoid flavour: in this game, it says that in the last round the Trustee will 'take the money and run', and therefore should not be trusted.

Consciousness and Cognition

Lawmakers, while noting that North Korea should not be trusted, stressed that even imperfect talks were better than no talks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not be trusted", clearly articulate the reason for distrust to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "He should not be trusted", say "He should not be trusted because of his history of deception".

Common error

Avoid using "should not be trusted" without specific evidence or justification. Overgeneralizing can lead to unfair judgments and damage credibility. Provide concrete examples or reasoning to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not be trusted" functions as an expression of distrust or warning. Based on Ludwig's examples, it's used to advise against placing confidence in someone or something due to perceived unreliability. It typically precedes an explanation of the reasons for this lack of trust.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

16%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should not be trusted" is a common expression used to express caution or distrust in someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you provide clear reasons for the lack of trust to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "cannot be relied upon" or "is untrustworthy" can be used depending on the specific context. The most important guidance is to avoid overgeneralization and always provide supporting evidence or reasons for the assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is untrustworthy

Employs an adjective to directly describe the quality of lacking trustworthiness.

is not credible

Directly addresses the lack of believability or trustworthiness.

is not dependable

Replaces "trusted" with "dependable", focusing on the inability to be counted on.

cannot be relied upon

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the lack of reliability.

is questionable

Indicates that something is doubtful or uncertain.

is suspect

Suggests that something is under suspicion or raises concerns.

cannot be believed

Focuses on the lack of credibility and the inability to accept something as true.

raises doubts

Implies that something causes uncertainty or skepticism.

should not be taken at face value

Suggests that something requires deeper scrutiny and cannot be accepted without questioning.

is open to question

Indicates that something is subject to debate or uncertainty.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "should not be trusted"?

The phrase "should not be trusted" is appropriate when you have valid reasons to doubt someone's reliability, honesty, or competence. Ensure you can articulate these reasons clearly and factually.

What are some alternatives to saying "should not be trusted"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be relied upon", "is untrustworthy", or "is not dependable" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "should not be trusted" or "cannot be trusted"?

Both "should not be trusted" and "cannot be trusted" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Should not be trusted" implies a recommendation based on observation, while "cannot be trusted" suggests an inherent inability to be trusted. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific situation.

Can "should not be trusted" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "should not be trusted" can be used in formal writing, but it's essential to maintain a professional tone and provide clear, objective evidence to support your assertion. Avoid using emotional language or personal opinions without justification.