this should be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this should be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to express that something should occur or exist, or to make an educated inference or prediction. For example, "This should be the last time I need to remind you about the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This should take 1½ to 2 hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This should abolish KLF4 and TFAP2A binding.

eLife

This should take 5 to 10 seconds.

WikiHow

This should take 3 or 4 minutes.

WikiHow

This should take 1 to 2 minutes.

WikiHow

This should be 2 to 3 sentences.

WikiHow

This should be 1 to 5 minutes.

WikiHow

This should take 6 - 8 minutes.

WikiHow

This should be 6 to 7 students maximum.

WikiHow

This should be 6 to 8 minutes on each side.

WikiHow

In most cases this should be 27 inches (68.6 cm).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When correcting information, use "this should read" to clearly indicate the necessary correction.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "this should be" in formal contexts. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this should be" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing expectation, prediction, or correction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure adheres to standard English grammar. It serves to indicate a likely or desired outcome, or to rectify an error in information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

30%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this should be" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express expectations, make predictions, or provide corrections. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. While generally neutral, the level of formality can shift depending on the source. For expressing similar ideas, alternatives such as "this ought to be" or "this is expected to be" can be considered to add variety to writing. Avoid overuse, especially in formal contexts, and be mindful of clarity regarding the subject of "this".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this ought to be

Replaces "should" with "ought to", suggesting a slightly stronger sense of obligation or expectation.

this is expected to be

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state that something is anticipated or predicted.

this is anticipated to be

Similar to "this is expected to be" but emphasizes a sense of foreknowledge or prediction.

this will likely be

Uses "will likely be" to express a high probability of something occurring.

it is probable that this will be

Introduces a formal tone, highlighting the probability of a future event or state.

this is supposed to be

Indicates an expected or intended state, often based on a rule or agreement.

this has to be

Expresses a strong degree of certainty or necessity, implying limited alternative possibilities.

this could be

Indicates possibility or potential, softening the sense of expectation.

this may be

Similar to "this could be" but expresses a slightly lower probability.

this would be

Presents a hypothetical scenario or a conditional expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "this should be" to express an expectation, prediction, or correction. For instance, "This should be the final version of the report" or "This should read 20mg/week, not 20mg/day".

What are some alternatives to "this should be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "this ought to be", "this is expected to be", or "it is probable that this will be".

When is it appropriate to use "this should read"?

"This should read" is appropriate when correcting a mistake in written text. For example, "The caption originally said '1995', this should read '1996'".

Is "this should be" formal or informal?

"This should be" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "it is anticipated to be" for a more sophisticated tone.