should that be true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should that be true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a hypothetical situation or condition that may or may not be the case. Example: "Should that be true, we will need to reconsider our strategy moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Why should that be true?

University of California, Berkeley

Should that be true of all movies likely to be seen by children?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even if that were true, should U.S. courts right wrongs done elsewhere?

Forbes

Rules that are true but should not be.

Science Magazine

The players generally did what they should and that was true for EA as well.

TechCrunch

This, obviously, should be something that's true of every club in every city in every country in the world.

Vice

You shouldn't necessarily in fact, for sure you shouldn't see why that's true now.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is that not how it should be? A. Well that's true.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, of course that should be true - but then everything that has happened in the past 2,000 years should have been a blow to creationism, and yet it's still there.

The Guardian

Although they're mostly lamenting own boring post-collegiate life choices when they say that, it sounds like something that should be true.

Vice

They say you shouldn't burn bridges, and that's true.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should that be true" to introduce a consequence or logical next step contingent on the truth of a preceding statement. This can add a layer of nuance to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "should that be true" as a simple substitute for "if". It is more appropriate when emphasizing a specific condition or consequence rather than a general possibility.

Linguistic Context

Conditional Clause Introduction: "Should that be true" introduces a hypothetical scenario, setting up a conditional clause where the truth of a preceding statement is questioned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase sets the stage for consequences or logical next steps.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should that be true" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a conditional clause, expressing uncertainty about a preceding statement and preparing for its potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase, which is frequently seen in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to distinguish it from a simple "if" statement to leverage its nuanced meaning effectively. Consider alternatives like "if that were the case" or "assuming that's correct" depending on the specific context. As Ludwig examples show, the phrase is best used to set up conditional scenarios that require further action or consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

If that were the case

Replaces "should that be true" with a more direct conditional statement.

Assuming that's correct

Emphasizes the assumption of truth before proceeding.

If that is indeed the truth

Adds emphasis to the veracity of the statement.

Supposing that to be true

Introduces a hypothetical condition.

In the event that's true

Highlights the possibility of the condition being met.

If that holds true

Focuses on the condition remaining valid.

Granting that to be the case

Formal way of conceding a point for the sake of argument.

Presuming that's accurate

Implies uncertainty about the accuracy of the statement.

On the assumption that is true

Highlights the assumption behind the statement.

If this assumption is correct

Explicitly refers to the statement as an assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "should that be true" in a sentence?

"Should that be true" is used to introduce a hypothetical situation. For example, "The data suggests a market downturn. Should that be true, we will need to adjust our investment strategy."

What phrases are similar to "should that be true"?

Similar phrases include "if that were the case", "assuming that's correct", and "supposing that to be true". Each carries a slightly different nuance of conditionality.

Is "should that be true" formal or informal?

"Should that be true" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. The level of formality depends on the surrounding vocabulary and context.

What's the difference between "if that's true" and "should that be true"?

While similar, "should that be true" often implies a stronger sense of contingency or consequence than a simple "if that's true". It can also be used to express a more polite or hesitant condition.