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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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should so be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should so be' is not grammatically correct.
However, a correct phrase you could use instead is 'should be so.' This phrase can be used when you want to emphasize that something should happen or follow a particular pattern. For example, "The curtains should be so long that they reach the floor."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why this should be so was perplexing.

Why that should be so is not at all clear.

News & Media

The New York Times

Why that should be so isn't entirely obvious.

News & Media

The New York Times

The reasons why this should be so are broadly teleological.

Science

SEP

Why this should be so isn't entirely clear.

News & Media

BBC

Doing so should be a firing offense.

News & Media

The New York Times

So should be any immigration.

News & Media

BBC

So should be less annoying.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Should football be so different?

News & Media

Independent

So should I be fired?

News & Media

The Economist

So should we be surprised?

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical accuracy, consider rephrasing to "should it be so" or "should that be the case" to ensure clarity and correctness. These alternatives are generally better accepted.

Common error

A common mistake is to use the phrase "should so be" when a grammatically correct alternative is needed. Always check your grammar or use a reliable grammar checker like Ludwig to ensure your sentences are grammatically sound.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should so be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate phrasing like "should it be so" functions as an interrogative clause or a conditional clause, expressing a question about a potential or expected state of affairs. This assessment is supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should so be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, a more appropriate alternative is "should it be so". This corrected phrase serves to question or express doubt about a situation, often in formal contexts. Given the lack of real-world examples, it's best to use alternative phrasings to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Consider alternatives such as "is that how it should be" or "should that be the case".

FAQs

What does "should be so" mean?

The phrase "should be so" indicates that something is expected or desired to be in a particular state. For example, "The curtains should be so long that they reach the floor."

Is "should so be" grammatically correct?

No, "should so be" is not grammatically correct. A correct alternative is /s/should+be+so or /s/should+it+be+so.

How can I use a similar phrase to "should so be" in a sentence?

You can use phrases like "should it be this way", "ought it to be so", or "is that how it should be" depending on the intended meaning.

Which is the correct phrasing, "should so be" or "should it be so"?

"Should it be so" is the correct phrasing. "Should so be" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

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Source & Trust

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: