What it means
てしかるべきだ expresses a strong expectation that something ought to happen or be the case because it is reasonable, proper, or naturally warranted. It is more formal and assertive than ordinary advice with べきだ, and it is often used in written, public, legal, or evaluative contexts. The construction normally follows a verb in the て-form, or a noun or な-adjective followed by であって.
Usage note
てしかるべきだ is formal and can sound judgmental when directed at a person’s conduct. The polite counterpart てしかるべきです changes the sentence ending to です but remains formal; しかるべき by itself is also used as an adjective meaning “appropriate” or “proper,” as in しかるべき措置.
How to use it
この制度は透明性の高いものであってしかるべきです。
This system should be something with a high degree of transparency.
審査は公平であってしかるべきです。
The screening process should be fair.
企業は従業員の安全を最優先してしかるべきです。
Companies should give the highest priority to the safety of their employees.
この制度は透明性の高いものであってしかるべきだ。
This system should be something with a high degree of transparency.
審査は公平であってしかるべきだ。
The screening process should be fair.
企業は従業員の安全を最優先してしかるべきだ。
Companies should give the highest priority to the safety of their employees.