should not occur

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not occur" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something should not take place or be done. For example: "There should not occur any delays during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Should not occur," "needed"?

The New Yorker

It should not occur at any bank.

The Guardian - Business

The "wind tunnel" look of wide eyes and mouth should not occur with a good surgeon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Turnbull is strongly of the view the changes should not occur.

The Guardian

Deficit reduction should not occur on the backs of the poor and vulnerable.

The New York Times

Accordingly, resonance absorption should not occur because the emitted photon is missing 2ER to accomplish it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet in the previous 12 months there had been four "never events" – serious patient safety incidents that should not occur.

Independent

Cuts to the safety net at a time when many Americans find themselves needing us most should not occur.

The New York Times

UPDATE In response to some comments, yes indeed 25 standard deviation events should not occur in normal distributions.

The Economist

That may be a minute discrepancy, but it should not occur if Einstein's theory of relativity is correct.

The New York Times

"I completely support Barnaby Joyce in stating what is absolutely obvious: that mining should not occur on prime farmland," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not occur", ensure the context clearly defines the conditions or actions that would prevent the undesirable event. This makes the statement more actionable and less ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "should not occur" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "mistakes should not occur", try "we must prevent mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not occur" functions as a modal construction expressing advisability or expectation that something not happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It indicates a desired state of affairs and is often used to set expectations or issue warnings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should not occur" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is undesirable and preventative measures should be taken. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It's frequently found in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business contexts, expressing negative recommendations or expectations. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what actions should be taken to prevent the undesired event. While alternatives like "must not happen" or "ought not to happen" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not happen

Replaces "should" with "must", indicating a stronger degree of prohibition.

ought not to happen

Uses "ought not" as a slightly more formal equivalent of "should not".

is not to happen

Emphasizes a pre-determined decision that something will be prevented from occurring.

should be avoided

Focuses on the act of avoiding the event, rather than the event itself.

must be prevented

Highlights the active prevention required to stop the event from happening.

is unacceptable

Indicates that the occurrence of the event is not permissible or tolerable.

cannot be allowed

Stresses the prohibition and lack of permission for the event to take place.

is not permissible

Formally states that the event is against the rules or regulations.

should be precluded

Replaces "occur" with "precluded", meaning to prevent something from happening or make it impossible.

cannot take place

Indicates that the event is impossible or not allowed to happen.

FAQs

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

Use "should not occur" to express that something is undesirable and preventative measures should be taken. For example, "Data breaches "should not occur" with proper security protocols."

What phrases are similar to "should not occur"?

Alternatives include phrases like "must not happen", "ought not to happen", or "should be avoided", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "must not occur" instead of "should not occur"?

"Must not occur" implies a stronger prohibition than "should not occur". Use "must not occur" when the event is absolutely unacceptable, whereas "should not occur" suggests it is highly undesirable but potentially avoidable.

What is the difference between "should not occur" and "cannot occur"?

"Should not occur" implies that an event is preventable and undesirable, while "cannot occur" suggests that the event is impossible. The choice depends on whether the focus is on prevention or impossibility.