should not depend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not depend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not supposed to rely on or be influenced by something else. Example: "The success of the project should not depend solely on one individual's efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the law should not depend upon such distinctions.

The New York Times

But future debates should not depend on the strategic interests of the political protagonists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Responses to the needs of millions of vulnerable people should not depend not upon box-ticking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, access to a vulnerable patient should not depend on geographical location or individual decisions.

The Guardian

"One should not depend on a single modality," Dr. Guidry said.

The New York Times

Citizens should not depend on financial assets or fallible "expert" advice for their retirement.

The Economist

Access to treatment should not depend on whether someone can spare the money.

The Guardian

In theory, such critical systems should not depend on the internet.

The Economist

Even so, military action should not depend on emotion and TV footage.

Independent

Access to this lifesaving therapy should not depend on residency of the patient.

The New York Times

The fund says that this should not depend on the Icesave dispute.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not depend", ensure that the sentence clearly articulates what is not supposed to be influenced by what. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where it's unclear what "should not depend" on what. Use active voice to clarify the relationship between elements and reduce ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not depend" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing necessity or recommendation. It indicates that something ideally ought not to be contingent upon something else. Ludwig AI provides many examples showing its diverse applications across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should not depend" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something ought not to be contingent on something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. It conveys a sense of necessity or recommendation, promoting fairness, independence, or robustness. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in articulating the relationship between the elements involved and avoid overly passive constructions. Alternatives such as "must not rely on" or "ought not to hinge on" can be used to vary the language and emphasize the desired level of obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not rely on

Emphasizes a stronger obligation of non-reliance compared to the original phrase.

ought not to hinge on

Indicates that something should not pivot or turn based on a specific factor.

should not be contingent on

Highlights that something should not be conditional or subject to a specific condition.

should not be determined by

Suggests that something's outcome or nature should not be dictated by something else.

should not be subject to

Implies that something should not be affected or controlled by a particular thing.

must remain independent of

Indicates the necessity of maintaining separation and non-influence.

cannot be conditional upon

Emphasizes that something's validity or occurrence is not subject to certain conditions.

should not be predicated on

Suggests that something should not be founded or based on a particular premise.

should not be dictated by

Indicates that something should not be commanded or controlled by something else.

must stand apart from

Highlights that something should remain separate and distinct from another element.

FAQs

How can I use "should not depend" in a sentence?

Use "should not depend" to express that one thing's existence, quality, or outcome shouldn't be determined or affected by another. For example, "Access to healthcare "should not depend" on wealth".

What are some alternatives to "should not depend"?

You can use alternatives like "must not rely on", "ought not to hinge on", or "should not be contingent on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "should not depend on" or "must not depend on"?

While both phrases convey a lack of reliance, "must not rely on" suggests a stronger prohibition or necessity compared to ""should not depend"". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What does it mean when something "should not depend" on something else?

It means that the former should ideally be independent of the latter. Its existence, value, or outcome ought not to be determined or significantly influenced by the latter.