should not survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should not survive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that something is not expected to continue existing or functioning. Example: "In the harsh conditions of the desert, many species should not survive without access to water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But if firms are not competitive they should not survive.

The Economist

Most experts agree that Fannie and Freddie should not survive.

The New York Times

The medical university should not survive in its present form.

The New York Times

Despite their good intentions, such prohibitions should not survive constitutional scrutiny.

The New York Times

For building in half of Israel," added Ilana Shalev, who also believes the Netanyahu government should not survive.

The Guardian

That said, Mr. Walston said Mr. Jennings could not and should not survive politically if the harassment charges are true.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Maybe the human race shouldn't survive.

The Guardian

There is a "law of the jungle where some things don't survive," so, Mr. Nixon says: "Maybe New York shouldn't survive.

The New York Times

If you are not viable, you shouldn't survive, we just don't think you should take that decision in the depths of a crisis, when every company in the world is being helped... Saab is very important for Sweden's automotive cluster.

The Economist

These include: "suspend your ego" when taking on a leadership role of such a diverse talent pool, have a willingness to "kill your darlings" (e.g., your favorite shot in the whole movie that took half a day to get right, but which simply shouldn't survive the final cut), and crucially, "allow actors room to experiment".

Huffington Post

But some could not eat, and others entrusted keepsakes or messages, intended for those at home should they not survive, with members of the ambulance corps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should not survive" when you want to express that something is unlikely to continue existing or functioning, often due to inherent flaws or unfavorable conditions. For instance, "A business with poor financial planning should not survive in a competitive market."

Common error

Avoid using "should not survive" in contexts where a more neutral or factual statement would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "His bad cold should not survive the weekend", a more suitable phrase would be "His cold is likely to improve over the weekend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not survive" functions primarily as a modal expression of expectation or prediction, indicating that something is unlikely or undeserving of continued existence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should not survive" effectively conveys an expectation or prediction that something will cease to exist, often due to inherent flaws or unfavorable circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts, especially in News & Media and scientific discussions. While alternatives exist, ranging from the more formal "ought not to endure" to the informal "is not going to make it", "should not survive" strikes a balance that makes it broadly useful, but it is important to consider a more neutral formulation in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought not to endure

Replaces "should" with "ought", implying a moral obligation or expectation against survival.

must not persist

Emphasizes a stronger prohibition or necessity against continued existence.

is unlikely to last

Focuses on the improbability of continued existence, avoiding modal verbs.

cannot be expected to continue

Formal and emphasizes a lack of expectation for continued existence.

is doomed to fail

Implies a predetermined and negative outcome.

is not sustainable

Highlights the inability to maintain a certain state or function.

will inevitably collapse

Emphasizes the certainty of failure or cessation.

is on its way out

Informal and suggests a declining or fading existence.

is not going to make it

Informal and indicates a lack of chance for success or survival.

is destined to disappear

Suggests a predetermined fate of vanishing or ceasing to exist.

FAQs

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

You can use "should not survive" to express an expectation that something will cease to exist or function, like "A poorly managed company "should not survive" in a competitive market".

What are some alternatives to "should not survive"?

Alternatives include phrases like "ought not to endure", "must not persist", or "is unlikely to last", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "should not survive" a formal or informal expression?

"Should not survive" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "cannot be expected to continue" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

When is it appropriate to use "should not survive"?

It is appropriate to use "should not survive" when you want to express a reasoned expectation that something will fail to continue, often due to inherent weaknesses or external pressures. Be mindful of the tone and consider alternatives if a more neutral or factual statement is needed.