I must add

USAGE SUMMARY

"I must add" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce additional information, usually after having made a point. For example, "I believe public transport should be free. I must add, however, that it would be difficult to implement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is, for each term in the expansion, the exponents of the x i must add up to n.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

And, I must add, including me.

The Washington Post

But here again I must add something.

Yale University

And both, I must add, are superb novels.

The Guardian - Books

Bruno is, I must add, the play's most touching and consistently comic characterization.

The New York Times

Balthus, I must add, was in his own affairs inconsistent and hypocritical.

The New York Times - Arts

Where are George, Tom, Abe, Teddy, Franklin, Harry and, I must add, Ronald for style?

The New York Times

I must add that this is only to prove that His Grace is not an impostor.

The New York Times

Here I must add another big difference from the Côte d'Azur: the wind!

The Guardian - Travel

Narrowly, I must add, with GDP increasing by 0.1% in the first three months of 2010.

The Guardian - Business

I must add however that most of us on IG are on here because it's not FB".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I must add" to smoothly introduce an important clarification or related point that enhances the reader's understanding without disrupting the flow of your writing. Always ensure the added information is relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "I must add", as this can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader interest and a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I must add" serves as an insertional expression, used to introduce supplementary information, clarifications, or related points within a discourse. Ludwig AI confirms its role in adding extra detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I must add" is a versatile expression used to introduce supplementary information or clarifications. Ludwig AI notes that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and formal contexts. While its frequency is high, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "It is important to note" or "Furthermore" can offer variety while serving a similar purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would like to mention

More direct and personal introduction of additional information.

It is important to note

Emphasizes the importance of the additional information.

It is worth mentioning

Indicates that the information is valuable or interesting.

It should be mentioned

Highlights that the following information is noteworthy.

Let me also say

Adds another point or comment to the discussion.

I feel compelled to add

Suggests a sense of obligation to include the information.

In addition

Straightforward way to add more information.

Furthermore

More formal way to introduce an additional point.

As a side note

Introduces a related but not necessarily essential point.

For the sake of clarity

Adds information intended to make the topic clearer.

FAQs

How can I use "I must add" in a sentence?

Use "I must add" to introduce an additional piece of information or a clarification to a point you've already made. For example, "The project was a success. I must add, however, that it required significant overtime from the team."

What phrases can I use instead of "I must add"?

You can use alternatives like "it is important to note", "furthermore", or "in addition" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I must add" in formal writing?

While "I must add" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "it should be mentioned" or "it is worth mentioning" to maintain a higher level of formality.

When should I avoid using "I must add"?

Avoid using "I must add" if the information you're adding is not relevant or important to the overall point. Also, be cautious of overusing it, which can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider more concise alternatives if the addition is minor.