should they order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should they order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a hypothetical situation regarding whether someone should place an order or not. Example: "If they are unsure about the menu, they might wonder what they should order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Should they order?

The New York Times - Food

Should they order an evacuation, the state officials wondered?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The "Grey's Anatomy" star is the highest-paid actress on a primetime drama and recently signed a whopping new deal that'll take her through seasons 15 and 16 (should they be ordered) of the show.

Huffington Post

"The courts should have this information before they order this stuff injected into people's unwilling bodies," Mr. Gottstein said.

The New York Times

Should they both order Chilean bass, that overfished delight, one last time, so neither would have to share?

The New York Times

Another thing controlling people do is constantly give "advice" to people about every little thing, from how they should act in their relationships to what they should order for dinner.

WikiHow

Most people, for instance, know that they should order the side salad or fruit cup when they go to a McDonald's, but that doesn't matter if they don't have the mindset to resist the smell of French fries hanging in the air, says Joy Bauer, registered dietitian and author of Joy Bauer's Food Cures.

Forbes

People pour over a menu trying to figure out what they're going to have, desperately asking the waiter what they should order.

Huffington Post

Grownups order one main meal and then spend a good 10 minutes debating if they should get an appetizer or a side dish, and then another five minutes dripping sweat over if they should order dessert.

Huffington Post

They should order the FSA to speed up its testing".

The Guardian

They opened the catalogue of a laboratory-supply company to see which one of the 50 human adenoviruses they should order.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should they order", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject and the item being ordered. Clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "should they order" in declarative statements. It's best suited for questions or hypothetical scenarios, not statements of fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should they order" functions as an interrogative clause, typically used to ask whether it is advisable, necessary, or appropriate for a group of people ("they") to place an order. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should they order" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative clause that seeks advice or guidance on whether a group should place an order. As affirmed by Ludwig, its usage is generally neutral and suitable across various contexts, including News & Media and casual conversations. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the subject and the item being ordered to prevent any ambiguity. While the phrase is versatile, it is most appropriate for questions or hypothetical scenarios, not declarative statements. Remember the semantic interchangeability with alternatives such as "are they advised to order" and "is it recommended that they order" if a more formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are they advised to order

Replaces "should" with "are advised to", offering a more formal tone.

is it recommended that they order

Uses "is it recommended" to suggest a degree of official recommendation or professional advice.

would it be best if they ordered

Employs "would it be best" to imply a consideration of optimal choices.

are they supposed to order

Substitutes "should" with "are they supposed to", indicating an expectation or obligation.

do they need to order

Focuses on the necessity of ordering, changing the emphasis from suggestion to requirement.

is it necessary for them to order

Highlights the essential nature of ordering, presenting it as a mandatory action.

what are their ordering options

Shifts the focus to available choices rather than the advisability of ordering.

are they planning to order

Concentrates on their intentions regarding ordering, moving away from whether they ought to.

what is the procedure for ordering

Redirects attention to the processes involved rather than the desirability of the action.

have they considered ordering

Queries if ordering has been thought about, changing the context from recommendation to contemplation.

FAQs

How can I use "should they order" in a sentence?

Use "should they order" to inquire whether it is advisable or necessary for a group to place an order. For example, "Should they order appetizers before the main course?"

What's a more formal way to ask if someone should order something?

Consider using "are they advised to order" or "is it recommended that they order" for a more professional tone.

Is "should they order" the same as "do they have to order"?

Not exactly. "Should they order" implies a suggestion or advisability, while "do they have to order" indicates a requirement or obligation. They have subtly different connotations.

What's the difference between "are they going to order" and "should they order"?

"Are they going to order" inquires about their intention or plan, while "should they order" asks whether it's advisable or beneficial for them to do so. The first focuses on future action, the second on recommendation.