they should be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they should be" is a grammatically correct and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to express an opinion or suggestion about what someone or something ought to do or be. Example: "They should be more careful with their money if they want to save for a trip." (suggesting what someone should do) "The flowers should be watered twice a day to keep them healthy." (stating what should happen) "We should all be more mindful of our impact on the environment." (expressing an opinion about what we should do).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They should be £300".

Independent

They should be reassessed.

Independent

They should be scrapped.

The Economist

They should be forgotten.

The Economist

Maybe they should be.

The New York Times

They should be worried".

The New Yorker

So they should be.

Independent

They should be eliminated.

The New York Times

"They should be hanged.

The New York Times

They should be sexy".

The New York Times

"They should be here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice or suggestions using "they should be", provide clear reasoning or justification to strengthen your point.

Common error

Avoid using "they should be" when the antecedent of "they" is unclear. This can lead to confusion. Always ensure the referent is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they should be" functions as a modal construction used to express advice, suggestions, or expectations. As Ludwig AI reports, it is a grammatically correct phrase commonly used in written English to convey what someone or something ought to do or be.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they should be" is a versatile phrase used to offer advice, express expectations, or draw logical conclusions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in diverse contexts. The phrase is most prevalent in news and media, science, and wiki articles, maintaining a generally neutral register. When using "they should be", ensure the pronoun "they" is clear and the context supports the intended meaning. To improve your writing remember that ambiguous pronoun reference is a common error to avoid. Consider using alternative phrases, such as "they ought to be" or "they need to be", to add variety or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they ought to be

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

it's recommended they be

Formal and suggests a recommendation.

they need to be

Highlights the necessity of a particular state or action.

it is advisable for them to be

More formal and emphasizes advisability.

it would be best if they were

Suggests a preferred course of action.

they are supposed to be

Implies an obligation or expectation, often based on an agreement or arrangement.

they are expected to be

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than obligation.

they must be

Expresses a stronger sense of necessity or logical conclusion.

they're required to be

Indicates a requirement or obligation.

they'd better be

More forceful, implying a potential negative consequence.

FAQs

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

Use "they should be" to express a recommendation, expectation, or obligation. For example, "The packages "they should be delivered" tomorrow" or "they should be careful when crossing the street".

What are some alternatives to "they should be"?

Alternatives include "they ought to be", "they need to be", or "they are required to be", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "they should of been" grammatically correct?

No, "they should of been" is incorrect. The correct form is "they should have been". "Should have" is often misheard as "should of", but "of" is not a modal auxiliary verb.

What's the difference between "they should be" and "they must be"?

"They should be" expresses a recommendation or expectation, while "they must be" indicates a stronger sense of necessity or a logical conclusion. "They should be on time" suggests it's a good idea, whereas "They must be exhausted after that marathon" expresses a high degree of certainty.