should she arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should she arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in conditional sentences to express a possibility or hypothetical situation regarding someone's arrival. Example: "We will start the meeting at 3 PM, should she arrive by then."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to the Internet, she should arrive at the airport early and plan to show other forms of I.D., some of which she has (a work badge, a gym I.D., a business card) and some of which she doesn't (a utility bill, a check, a marriage license).

The New Yorker

When the goddess Fricka angrily approaches her husband, Wotan, in Act II of "Die Walküre," Wagner states that she should arrive in a chariot drawn by two rams.

The New York Times - Arts

The wait is almost over" — tried to offer whatever advice they could to a patron wondering what time she should arrive on Friday.

The New York Times - Tech

If Sihem took the nine o'clock bus, she should have arrived home some time ago.

The New York Times - Books

The application, she was told, should arrive in a few weeks.

The New York Times

When should I arrive?

Harvard University

What time should I arrive?

The Guardian - Opinion

These should hopefully arrive by Tuesday of the coming week.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How should we arrive at the "best" system?

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Should you arrive in a vehicle?

WikiHow

An email containing your account verification link should arrive in your inbox should arrive after a few minutes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should she arrive" in formal contexts where a degree of uncertainty or conditionality needs to be expressed. It is particularly appropriate in legal or academic writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "should she arrive" in casual conversation. The phrase is relatively formal and may sound stilted in everyday speech; consider using "if she arrives" instead for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should she arrive" primarily functions as part of a conditional clause. It introduces a hypothetical situation, indicating a possible future event. Ludwig confirms this is a correct use of English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should she arrive" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to introduce a conditional clause. As Ludwig confirms, this construction is appropriate in more structured and written contexts, such as academic papers or legal documents. While the phrase itself is correct, more common alternatives like "if she arrives" or "provided that she arrives" might be preferable depending on the desired tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if she arrives

Replaces the auxiliary verb 'should' with 'if' for a more direct conditional statement.

provided she arrives

Similar to 'if', but slightly more formal.

in the event that she arrives

Adds formality and emphasizes the contingency of her arrival.

if she is to arrive

Emphasizes a planned or expected arrival.

assuming she arrives

Highlights the assumption of her arrival as a condition.

supposing she arrives

Introduces a hypothetical scenario based on her arrival.

on the condition that she arrives

Formal and explicitly states the arrival as a prerequisite.

when she arrives

Shifts the focus to the time of her arrival, implying less uncertainty.

once she arrives

Highlights the subsequent actions after her arrival.

let's say she arrives

Presents her arrival as a hypothetical for discussion.

FAQs

How do I use "should she arrive" in a sentence?

Use "should she arrive" to introduce a conditional clause, often followed by a main clause that describes the consequence. Example: "Should she arrive late, the meeting will proceed without her."

What can I say instead of "should she arrive"?

You can use alternatives like "if she arrives", "in case she arrives", or "provided that she arrives" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "should she arrive" more formal than "if she arrives"?

Yes, "should she arrive" is generally considered more formal than "if she arrives". The former is often found in written or more structured contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "should she arrive"?

It's appropriate to use "should she arrive" in situations where you want to emphasize the possibility or contingency of someone's arrival, especially in formal writing, legal documents, or academic discussions.