should not derail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not derail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should not cause a disruption or distraction from the main focus or objective. Example: "While we appreciate the feedback, we should not derail the discussion with unrelated topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Governments should not derail it.

The Economist

"However, this one-month slowdown should not derail the Fed".

The New York Times

In theory, a few extra weeks of rain and chill should not derail a $4.4 trillion economy.

The New York Times

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed regret for the burning of the Korans but said it should not derail the American military and diplomatic effort in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The Cuomo administration says that the overpayments should not derail its separate application for the $10 billion, but the issue is clearly becoming a headache for the state.

The New York Times

The prospect of rising interest rates should not derail the firm's progress, it said, with customers showing resilience to tighter monetary policy.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Though not trivial, this shouldn't derail the relatively robust global recovery," the report concluded.

The New York Times

Just because someone is exploring an entry into the governor's race, that shouldn't derail the attempts to help us in areas where Democrats have been weak in recent years.

The New York Times

But that shouldn't derail a team that largely relies on its backcourt of Wall and Beal.

Los Angeles Times

At least one Republican senator said that even if she was telling the truth, her allegation shouldn't derail Kavanaugh's career at this stage in his life.

Huffington Post

Mr. Edley, a Harvard law professor, said he was glad the matter was headed for court, but added that in the meantime the commission's work should not be "derailed by obstructionist tactics, exaggerated parliamentary maneuvering".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not derail", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about what progress or objective is being protected.

Common error

While "should not derail" is acceptable, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "don't let it stop you" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not derail" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or expectation that something must not disrupt or impede a particular course of action or progress. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should not derail" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates something must not disrupt or impede progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequency in various contexts. Primarily found in news, business, and science, it serves to reassure, encourage perseverance, or argue against disruption. For increased formality, consider alternatives such as "must not impede" or "ought not to disrupt."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not impede

Emphasizes a stronger sense of obligation or necessity to avoid hindering progress.

ought not to disrupt

Indicates a moral or advisory tone suggesting it's inadvisable to cause disruption.

should not hinder

Focuses on preventing something from slowing down or obstructing progress.

must not obstruct

Highlights the importance of keeping something from blocking the way forward.

should not impede the progress of

Adds explicit mention of the progress being affected, clarifying the potential impact.

ought not to throw off course

Suggests that something must not deviate from its intended path or direction.

must not set back

Implies preventing a delay or regression in progress.

should not jeopardize

Focuses on avoiding putting something at risk or in danger.

must not undermine

Emphasizes the importance of not weakening or damaging something's foundation or effectiveness.

ought not to compromise

Advises against actions that could negatively affect the integrity or quality of something.

FAQs

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

Use "should not derail" to express that something shouldn't disrupt or impede progress. For example, "The minor setback "should not derail" the entire project".

What's a more formal way to say "should not derail"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "must not impede" or "ought not to disrupt."

What are some synonyms for "should not derail"?

Alternatives include "should not hinder", "must not obstruct", or "should not jeopardize", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "should not derail"?

Yes, "should not derail" is grammatically correct. The auxiliary verb 'should' is correctly used with 'not' to negate the verb 'derail'.