it should only be vs it should be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It should only be' is used when emphasizing that something should exclusively be a certain way. 'It should be' is a more general statement indicating expectations or requirements.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 16, 2025 • 5393 views

This phrase is correct and is used to emphasize that something should exclusively be a certain way.

"it should only be"

This phrase is used to stress that there is no other option or possibility besides the one mentioned.

Examples:

In this case, it should only be red, not any other color.
For security reasons, it should only be accessed by authorized personnel.

Show examples from the web [+]

10 July 2014, Rome – “Poverty should not belong to any human society, it should only be seen in museums, ” Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus said ...
Export dae creates hundreds of duplicate materials when it should only be one · Technical Problems. epictard2222 — 2015-02-21T23:53:54Z — #1. I'm having ...
Feb 11, 2015 ... According to the help on this function, it should only be resolving --lock-update should both resolve and update existing modules to newer ...
9 hours ago ... Don't try this at home. It should only be tried by tax-paid, uniformed people who claim to be professionals. Only One provides a safety lesson.

Alternatives:

it must only be
it can only be

This phrase is correct and is a general statement indicating what is expected or required.

"it should be"

This phrase is used to express what is considered appropriate, necessary, or desirable in a given situation.

Examples:

It should be done by tomorrow.
It should be noted that the deadline has been extended.

Show examples from the web [+]

Whoever did it should be prosecuted.
Police scanner said it should be right about... here.
But I guess it should be more than this.
For all of us, it should be everything.
Your courage, it should be celebrated.
This makes the word plural when it should be singular.
As it constitutes a relevant justification for the proposal, it should be repeated in the recitals.
Okay, Hailey, now it should be ready.
It's... more true that it should be.
Connection's stabilised, it should be OK.
England is full of magic and it should be used.
A Latin flavor, but it should be impossible to know exactly where she comes from.
Then it should be a classic.
All right, it should be down here.
As head of the Gun Group, it should be my responsibility.
And I finally know what it should be.
Well, it's how it should be.
And he doesn't think it should be.
Either way, it should be fun.
I've decided, it should be maya.

Alternatives:

it ought to be
it is expected to be

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it should only be vs it should be

"it should only be"

"it should be"

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