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should be working vs should work

Both phrases are correct, but they're used in slightly different contexts. "Should be working" is used when emphasizing the ongoing nature of an action, while "should work" is used to express a general expectation or requirement.
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Explained by Miss E.
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Last updated: October 26, 2024 • 12301 views

should be working

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action.

Use "should be working" when you want to emphasize that an action is currently in progress or ongoing. It implies that the action is expected to continue.

Examples:

  • The machine should be working by now.
  • He should be working on the project at this moment.
  • Aug 25, 2023 ... You Should Be Working On Hardware. Or, why Elon Musk's impossible hardware businesses have succeeded. Audio version. “Why should I work on ...
  • 5 days ago ... Thoughts on who should be working holidays? So long story short my manager assured the two most unreliable workers that they wouldn't have ...
  • May 11, 2024 ... 862 likes, 6 comments - acooknamedmatt on May 11, 2024: "Should be working on weekends for French fries ? ".
  • Oct 21, 2024 ... Everything should be working... Question. r ...
  • Jul 2, 2023 ... I should be working on psets right now, but that's trivial. 2023 participant blogs SSP 2023 NMSU by SSP@NMSU TAs. Author: Sophie B. I got ...
  • Oct 25, 2017 ... How Your Productivity System Should Be Working. I have a confession to make. Most of my big important projects are not controlled through ...
  • Nov 2, 2023 ... Why designers should be working face-to-face more often. Agile & Lean, UX Design, UX Research. 2 minutes read. A few weeks ago I ran ...
  • We Should Be Working. Jace and Critter. 4.0 (4); SOCIETY & CULTURE. Latest Episode. We Should Be Working. Two guys talking about work culture, programming, ...
  • Apr 23, 2014 ... Raccoon – Should be Working for National Geographic. I enjoy camera trapping. I like setting a trail camera in a new spot and just letting it ...
  • Nov 19, 2019 ... Yesterday morning, I was standing in the audience as corrupt New Jersey political machine boss George Norcross was set to testify in the ...

Alternatives:

  • should have been working
  • should have worked
  • should have been in operation
  • should have been functioning
  • should have been running

should work

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a general expectation or requirement.

Use "should work" when stating a general expectation or requirement. It implies that something is expected to function correctly or as intended.

Examples:

  • The new software should work on all devices.
  • The key should work in the lock.
  • Oct 31, 2022 ... ADMIN MOD. Join. Options. Report. Yes, that should work. Update. r/deadcells - Yes, that should work. Upvote
  • Mar 29, 2012 ... The One Skill All Leaders Should Work On. If I had to pick one skill for the majority of leaders I work with to improve, it would be ...
  • Apr 16, 2023 ... Bolt Thrower should work on the Bomb Lance. SUGGESTIONS. What do yall think about this? I feel it should definately work cuz the lance ...
  • Jan 30, 2023 ... There are plenty of studies that support the notion that valued workers produce more and better products. A leader should work to ensure his/her ...
  • Feb 7, 2019 ... Why You Should Work Less and Spend More Time on Hobbies · Creativity. To stand out and compete in today's crowded and constantly changing ...
  • Apr 4, 2017 ... I advise all of my students at Cal Poly Pomona that they should work for a contractor and take some business courses. I was fortunate as a ...
  • Jun 18, 2024 ... We believe kids should work as a way to teach them grit, how to manage ever larger sums of money, and maybe even help them get into college.
  • Dec 21, 2019 ... Boolean Difference should work but won't (last ditch effort) · Rhino Rhino for Windows · rhino, rhino6, booleandifference · Redjester December ...
  • Sep 19, 2024 ... A production efficiency perspective naturally leads to the prescription that more productive individuals should work more than less productive individuals.
  • May 8, 2023 ... ArcPro label dictionaries should work Online in the map viewer ... I recently created a Maplex label dictionary to abbreviate a full label (the ...

Alternatives:

  • should function
  • should operate
  • should be effective
  • should be operational
  • should be functional

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