should still be

USAGE SUMMARY

"should still be" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when providing a recommendation or conclusion based on facts or prior statements. For example, "Given the evidence provided, the verdict should still be guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I should still be hitting.

The New York Times - Sports

"He should still be President".

The New Yorker

which should still be improved are highlighted.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Villas-Boas should still be in charge".

Independent

But they should still be winning games.

The New York Times - Sports

He should still be alive.

The Washington Post

It should still be crunchy.

The New York Times

Eric should still be alive".

The New York Times

The presentation should still be fascinating!

University of California, Berkeley

It should still be firm when drained.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That should still be our policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should still be" to express an expectation that something will continue, based on current conditions or prior agreements. Be mindful of the context to ensure the expectation is reasonable.

Common error

Avoid using "should still be" when the situation has clearly changed, making the original expectation unrealistic. Always reassess the context before asserting continuation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should still be" functions as a modal phrase indicating an expectation, obligation, or advisability that something continues to exist or occur. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses an anticipation based on current circumstances. The examples in Ludwig show it used across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should still be" is a common and grammatically correct modal phrase used to express an expectation or likelihood that something continues to exist or occur. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it indicates a reasonable expectation, it doesn't guarantee a certain outcome. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the expectation and avoid overusing it without considering current conditions. Alternatives such as "ought to remain" or "is expected to be" can be used to vary your writing while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to remain

Replaces "should" with "ought to" maintaining the sense of obligation or expectation, and "still be" with "remain" indicating continuation.

is expected to be

Focuses on expectation rather than obligation, changing the modal verb and maintaining the core idea of continuation.

is likely to continue to be

Emphasizes probability and continuation, adding a layer of likelihood.

can reasonably be expected to be

Adds a degree of reasonableness to the expectation, making it slightly more formal.

may yet remain

Uses "may" to indicate possibility and "yet remain" to suggest continuation despite potential challenges.

is advised to continue being

Shifts the focus to advice, suggesting that continuation is recommended.

it is anticipated to still exist

Transforms the sentence structure to emphasize anticipation and existence.

it is projected to endure

Focuses on the projection of endurance, implying a longer-term perspective.

one would expect it to still function

Introduces a subjective expectation regarding continued functionality.

it is reasonably supposed to proceed

Emphasizes the idea of reasonable supposition and progression.

FAQs

How can I use "should still be" in a sentence?

You can use "should still be" to express an expectation about the state of something. For example, "The package "should still be" in transit" implies you expect the package to not have arrived yet.

What does "should still be" imply about an expectation?

The phrase ""should still be"" implies that there's a reasonable basis for expecting something to continue or remain in a particular state, but there's no guarantee. It suggests a likely, but not certain, outcome.

What can I say instead of "should still be"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to remain", "is expected to be", or "is likely to continue to be" depending on the context.

How does "should still be" differ from "must still be"?

"Should still be" indicates an expectation or recommendation, while "must still be" suggests a stronger degree of certainty or necessity. "Must" implies there's little to no room for deviation, whereas "should" allows for other possibilities.