should be signed vs should sign

Both "should be signed" and "should sign" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Should be signed" is passive voice, indicating that the action of signing will be done by someone or something else. On the other hand, "should sign" is active voice, indicating that the subject is expected to perform the action of signing.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 2929 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in contexts where the subject is not the one performing the action of signing.

"should be signed"

This phrase is used in passive voice to indicate that someone or something else is expected to perform the action of signing. It is often used when talking about documents, contracts, or agreements.

Examples:

The contract should be signed by both parties.
The permission slip should be signed by a parent or guardian.
The form should be signed and returned by Friday.
The agreement should be signed electronically.
The petition should be signed by as many people as possible.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Agreement initialled in Brussels on 19 November 2008 should be signed and the attached declarations be approved.
The Agreement initialled in Brussels on 12 November 2008, should be signed and the attached declarations approved.
The agreement negotiated by the Commission should be signed and provisionally applied.
(2) The Agreement should be signed,
The protocol should be signed by the sponsor and:
The Agreement, initialled at Brussels on 17 January 2005, should be signed,
The Agreement should be signed subject to its conclusion,
The Fisheries Partnership Agreement should be signed,
The revised MoU should be signed,
The Agreement should be signed and applied provisionally, pending completion of the procedures for its conclusion.
The Amending Protocol should be signed,
Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Agreement initialled in Brussels on 18 December 2004 should be signed.
The Agreement should be signed and approved,
(3) Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Agreement initialled in Brussels on 18 December 2004 should be signed.
The new Protocol should be signed,
The passport should be signed by the doctor and the patient before the operation as a clear declaration of consent.
(3) The Agreement should be signed and approved,
(4) Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Protocol to the Europe Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products initialled in Brussels on 18 April 2006 should be signed.
Subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Agreement should be signed and should be applied on a provisional basis.
The Agreement, initialled at Brussels on 17 January 2005, should be signed,

Alternatives:

needs to be signed
must be signed
is required to be signed
ought to be signed
has to be signed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in contexts where the subject is expected to perform the action of signing.

"should sign"

This phrase is used in active voice to indicate that the subject is expected to perform the action of signing. It is often used when giving instructions or recommendations.

Examples:

You should sign the document before the deadline.
She should sign the contract as soon as possible.
He should sign the agreement to confirm his participation.
The manager should sign off on the proposal.
The student should sign up for the workshop.

Show examples from the web [+]

They are equally at fault and they both should sign.
The Commission and the beneficiary countries should sign framework agreements in order to lay down the principles for their cooperation under this Regulation.
How many of you think I should sign the bill?
And you should sign your full name, not just Schmidt.
Right, so you should sign the confession and have done with it.
Look, I think you should sign the release to do her reality show.
In order to ensure appropriate implementation, all beneficiaries should sign a legally binding agreement that prevents them from using secrecy jurisdictions whilst benefiting from EIB support.
To simplify the procedure, primary producers should sign a one-page declaration covering the relevant criteria for the information chain.
And sometimes that person gets well, and serves you with divorce papers, which I think you should sign immediately and move on with your life.
(6a) Member States, as well as applicant states, should sign, if they have not yet done so, and ratify as soon as possible the 1998 Convention;
Minister, I really think I should sign as well.
For the good of your son, you should sign...
I suppose I should sign it somewhere inconspicuous, given recent events.
- You should sign the mail.
I told you then we should sign it individually.
A responsible person from the laboratory should sign the records.
I therefore think that everyone involved with this matter should sign a code of conduct.
We believe that Sweden should sign ILO Convention No 169 on indigenous and tribal peoples.
I'm just wondering if you think I should sign it.
Markus Keen... I think we should sign him.

Alternatives:

needs to sign
must sign
is required to sign
ought to sign
has to sign

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should be signed vs should sign

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