should not exist

USAGE SUMMARY

"should not exist" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something should not exist or something should be avoided or prevented. For example, "Inhumane treatment of animals should not exist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Animals should not exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Behind the scenes should not exist".

The New York Times

I think that GMO's are terrible and should not exist.

Harvard University

Americans need job growth and monopolies should not exist.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

'In 10 years' time township tours should not exist.

The Guardian - Travel

But Davies says he thinks the BBC should not exist.

The Guardian

"I think you can go very, very far – you can say Israel should not exist.

The Guardian

"People say that food banks should not exist, let's just close them.

The Guardian

If a class cannot attract students by being useful or interesting, it should not exist.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

By this reckoning, Barbara Epler's career should not exist.

The New Yorker

Rosanne Barr: The Palestinians have agreed to renounce their previous beliefs that Israel should not exist.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should not exist" to express a strong opinion about something that ideally wouldn't be present or necessary in a given context. For instance, "Poverty should not exist in a developed nation."

Common error

Avoid using "should not exist" in contexts where a more neutral phrasing is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "This data error should not exist", consider "This data error should be corrected" to sound less accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not exist" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong recommendation or assertion that something is undesirable and ideally absent. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various domains to convey this sentiment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should not exist" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong desire for something to be absent or eliminated. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and business communication. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and avoid overuse in contexts where a more neutral phrasing would be more appropriate. Related phrases, such as "ought not to exist" or "is unnecessary", can provide alternative ways to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought not to exist

Formal synonym using "ought" instead of "should".

should be abolished

Focuses on the act of eliminating something.

should be eradicated

Suggests a complete and permanent removal.

needs to be eliminated

Emphasizes the necessity of removal.

must be eliminated

Emphasizes the obligation to remove something.

is not needed

Highlights the lack of necessity for something.

is unnecessary

Directly states that something is not required.

is unacceptable

Conveys that something is not tolerable.

cannot be tolerated

Expresses the inability to accept something.

is undesirable

Simply states that something is not wanted or liked.

FAQs

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

Use "should not exist" to express that something is undesirable or unnecessary. For example, "Discrimination "should not exist" in a just society."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought not to exist", "should be abolished", or "is unnecessary" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should not exist" or "should not be existing"?

"Should not exist" is generally preferred over "should not be existing" because the latter is less common and can sound awkward in many contexts. The simple form is clearer and more direct.

What's the difference between "should not exist" and "shouldn't exist"?

"Should not exist" and "shouldn't exist" are functionally equivalent, with "shouldn't" being a contraction of "should not". The choice often depends on the desired tone and formality. "Should not exist" is slightly more formal.