should not desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a recommendation or moral stance against wanting something. Example: "In this situation, one should not desire material wealth over personal happiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She tried to dissuade Parashara, saying that a learned Brahmin of his stature should not desire a woman who stinks of fish.

Wikipedia

Knowing why you should not desire to be linked with this person romantically or otherwise is an essential part of getting over a misplaced crush.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We can reject this argument in either of two ways, by taking issue with his analysis of which desires are regularly satisfiable and which are not, or by explaining why a person should not want to satisfy her desires perfectly.

SEP

Younger women and couples who do not desire children should be targeted in priority and strongly supported to use effective contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Plosone

To think, for example, that nuclear war would be bad is to desire that everyone not desire it, a desire that presumably springs from a first-order desire that there should be no such thing.

SEP

If they persist in it, even after repeated attempts to persuade them otherwise, why should not their desire to die command as much respect as that of someone with terminal cancer?Extending the same reasoning to everyone, healthy or ill, would recreate in contemporary society an approach to suicide reminiscent of the Roman stoics, the Japanese samurai or the French Montagnards.

The Economist

All fertile women undergoing uterine preservation surgery in our unit are advised of the possible impact of pregnancy and if pregnancy is not desired should be offered reliable contraception at the time of surgery (in the form of a coil or salpingectomy).

Gynecological Surgery

As a result, patients not desiring future fertility should be advised to undergo total hysterectomy.

BMC Cancer

Respondents desiring CPR were more prone to believe that significant others should be allowed during CPR as opposed to those not desiring CPR (P = 0.005).

Critical Care

In the increasingly dangerous and complicated world we live in, shouldn't we desire leaders who will examine the facts in all their dizzying nuance rather than those who make decisions based on gut instinct or who simply wait for signs from above?

The New York Times

CEOs, he added, should not let their desire to be the smartest person in the room get in the way of the hiring process.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not desire", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the recommendation or prohibition. Provide context to reinforce moral or practical considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "should not desire" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "don't want" or "not necessary" to maintain a natural tone. The phrase is best suited for formal or serious discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not desire" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or obligation in a negative sense. It indicates that wanting something is not recommended or appropriate. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should not desire" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase that advises against wanting something, often for moral or practical reasons. According to Ludwig AI, its use is acceptable in written English. While relatively rare, it appears in diverse contexts, including Wiki, scientific, and news media sources. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "don't want" are generally preferred. When using "should not desire", provide adequate context to emphasize the reason for the recommendation or prohibition. Alternatives include "ought not to want", "must not crave" and "should refrain from wanting". Though the examples are limited, Ludwig has been helpful in showing correct contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought not to want

Emphasizes a moral obligation or duty to avoid wanting something.

must not crave

Highlights a strong prohibition against intensely wanting something.

should refrain from wanting

Suggests a deliberate act of restraining oneself from desiring.

better not long for

Implies a warning against yearning for something, suggesting potential negative consequences.

need not covet

Focuses on avoiding envy or the desire for what belongs to others.

advised against desiring

Conveys a recommendation or instruction to avoid wanting something.

discouraged from seeking

Indicates that actively pursuing something is not recommended.

not recommended to yearn

Suggests that yearning for something is inadvisable.

avoid longing for

Encourages the avoidance of intense yearning.

it's unwise to wish for

Expresses that wanting something is imprudent or not sensible.

FAQs

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

Use "should not desire" to express a moral or practical recommendation against wanting something. For instance, "One should not desire revenge, as it leads to further conflict."

What are some alternatives to "should not desire"?

You can use alternatives such as "ought not to want", "must not crave", or "should refrain from wanting" depending on the context.

Is "should not desire" formal or informal?

"Should not desire" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "don't want" or "better not want" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "should not desire" and "must not desire"?

"Should not desire" suggests a recommendation or advice against wanting something, whereas "must not desire" implies a stricter prohibition or obligation. The latter carries a stronger sense of necessity.