should not happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"should not happen" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express disapproval or express that something is undesirable. For example, "Theft should not happen in our neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That should not happen.

The New York Times

"This should not happen.

The New York Times

It should not happen again.

The Guardian

These things should not happen".

The Guardian

The visit should not happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

That should not happen at Notre Dame.

The New York Times

This should not happen at all".

The New York Times

I think those things should not happen".

Independent

In fact it should not happen overnight.

The Guardian - Sport

At best, they should not happen again.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Simelane said this should not happen.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should not happen" to express a hope or expectation that something negative will not occur, especially when you have some influence or control over the situation. For example, in project management, you might say, "Delays "should not happen" if we follow the timeline closely."

Common error

While versatile, "should not happen" can sound less authoritative in formal or legal documents. Opt for stronger phrases like "must not occur" or "is prohibited" to convey a sense of strict regulation or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not happen" primarily functions as an expression of expectation or a recommendation against a certain outcome. It's often used to indicate that something is undesirable or preventable, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should not happen" is a versatile phrase used to express the hope or expectation that something negative will not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It's particularly common in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, stronger alternatives might be preferable in strictly formal documents. Remember to use it when you want to convey disapproval or suggest preventative measures, and consider its register to ensure it fits your intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not occur

Replaces the conditional "should" with the stronger imperative "must", indicating a higher level of prohibition.

cannot be allowed

Emphasizes the lack of permission or acceptance for an event to take place.

is unacceptable

States that a situation or action is not tolerable or permissible.

ought not to occur

A more formal alternative, using "ought" instead of "should" to express advisability.

must be prevented

Focuses on the action of stopping something from happening, rather than just its undesirability.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is not a possibility or option.

is not permissible

States that something is not allowed according to rules or laws.

should be avoided

Suggests taking action to prevent something undesirable from happening.

is undesirable

Focuses on the unwanted nature of an event or situation.

is not to be tolerated

Highlights that something is not acceptable and will not be endured.

FAQs

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

You can use "should not happen" to express that something is undesirable or to indicate that measures should be taken to prevent it. For example, "Mistakes "should not happen" if we double-check our work."

What's a more formal alternative to "should not happen"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "must not occur" or "is prohibited". These alternatives convey a stronger sense of authority.

Is it correct to say "shouldn't happen" instead of "should not happen"?

Yes, "shouldn't happen" is a contraction of "should not happen" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, it's generally preferred to use the full form, "should not happen".

What can I say instead of "should not happen" to emphasize prevention?

To emphasize prevention, you could use phrases like "must be prevented" or "is to be avoided". These alternatives place greater emphasis on taking action to stop something from occurring.