should not include

USAGE SUMMARY

"should not include" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something should be excluded or left out of a situation. For example, "When making a grocery list, chips and candy should not be included."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

File names should not include spaces or special characters.

Cornell University

The number of figures should not include more than seven.

University of California, Berkeley

These should not include driving yourself -- parking spots will be in more demand than undecided voters.

The New York Times

Transkaryotic argues the patents should not include all EPO because Amgen did not invent the substance.

The New York Times

It should not include settling political scores, his own or anyone else's.

The Guardian

The freedoms given to schools should not include the ability to select by stealth.

The Guardian - Opinion

That tells victims: "You should not include views on whether the prisoner should be released.

The Guardian

1.51pm GMT The body should not include any serving politician or current editor.

The Guardian

It should not include cheese spread, and absolutely on no occasion should it ever mean Marmite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What such a report should not include are words like "malingerers" or "freeloaders".

The New York Times - Magazine

Is it the case that religion need not or should not include literal, supernatural beliefs?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should not include" to set expectations and ensure consistency in submitted materials.

Common error

While "should not include" is generally active, avoid turning it into overly passive constructions like "is not to be included" as it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Opt for directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not include" functions as a directive, indicating what is prohibited or advised against within a given context. Ludwig showcases its use across varied sentences and highlights its role in setting boundaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should not include" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate exclusion or prevention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalent usage. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, serving to define boundaries and provide clear guidelines. When using this phrase, strive for directness and clarity, avoiding overly passive constructions. Consider alternative phrases like "ought not to include" or "must exclude" for more formal contexts or to emphasize obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought not to have

Replaces "should" with "ought", implying a moral obligation, while maintaining the negative constraint.

must exclude

Uses a stronger modal verb "must" to emphasize the necessity of exclusion.

should avoid

Shifts the focus to avoiding something rather than excluding it, implying a recommendation.

is advised against

Expresses a recommendation against inclusion, using a passive construction.

is not recommended

Similar to "is advised against", indicating a lack of recommendation for including something.

is better left out

Suggests that excluding something is the preferable option.

is not appropriate

Indicates that including something is unsuitable or unsuitable.

does not belong

Emphasizes that something is out of place and should not be included.

omit

Provides a direct and concise alternative, focusing on the act of leaving something out.

refrain from adding

Suggests consciously choosing not to add something, emphasizing a deliberate action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should not include" for a more formal tone?

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "ought not to include" or "must exclude" to convey a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

What is a less direct way to say "should not include"?

If you want to be less direct, consider using phrases like "is not recommended" or "is advised against" to suggest avoidance rather than explicitly prohibiting inclusion.

When is it appropriate to use "should not include" in writing?

"Should not include" is appropriate when setting guidelines, providing instructions, or defining the scope of something. It clearly communicates what is to be excluded to avoid confusion or errors.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "should not include"?

A common mistake is to use unnecessarily complex or passive constructions. Keep the sentence direct and clear. For example, avoid saying "is not to be included" when "should not include" is more concise.