I can't figure out which one is the correct formal one or if all the variations can be used:
- Shouldn't it be? (=?) Should not it be?
- Should it not be?
- Should it be not?
Is there a context in which they would be different/incorrect?
I could not find an answer for this among the already asked questions but if this is a duplicate please feel free to mark it as such.
Best Answer
"Shouldn't it be" is correct but informal. This is shortened from the formal "Should it not be" which is also correct.
"Should it be not" is not correct in this context.
A point to notice is that "Shouldn't it be this?" and "Should it be this?" have very similar meanings, despite one of them having a "not":
"Should it be this?" Is asking if the thing the speaker refers to is correct.
"Shouldn't it be this?" Is asking if the thing the speaker refers to is correct and shows that they think the current solution is wrong.