Must be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Must be doing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a strong assumption or inference about someone's current action or state. Example: "She must be doing her homework right now." Alternative expressions include "has to be doing" and "should be doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You must be doing somersaults!

The New Yorker

They must be doing something right.

The New Yorker

The system must be doing something right.

The New Yorker

I must be doing something right".

The New York Times

You must be doing a video today".

The New York Times

Still, Nissan must be doing something right.

The New York Times

Megu must be doing something right.

The New York Times - Food

We must be doing something right.

The New York Times

"But we must be doing something right".

The New York Times

It must be doing something right.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Something must be done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be doing" to express a strong inference about an ongoing action, based on available evidence or reasonable assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "must be doing" to describe completed actions. It is designed to describe actions happening now. For past actions use "must have done".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be doing" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a strong inference or deduction about an ongoing action or state. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to make logical assumptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be doing" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong inference about an ongoing action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "should be doing" and "has to be doing" exist, "must be doing" specifically conveys a high degree of certainty based on available evidence. It's important not to confuse it with past tense constructions or to use it for actions that are merely expected rather than strongly inferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be doing

Emphasizes obligation or necessity in the action.

should be doing

Indicates expectation or advisability regarding the action.

is probably doing

Expresses a degree of uncertainty in the action.

is likely doing

Suggests a high probability of the action.

is undoubtedly doing

Conveys certainty about the ongoing action.

is certainly doing

Similar to 'is undoubtedly doing', highlighting assurance.

can only be doing

Implies that there is no other possibility.

is bound to be doing

Indicates that the action is inevitable.

is engaged in

Formally denotes an ongoing activity or involvement.

is currently occupied with

Describes a present state of being busy or involved.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must be doing" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases such as "is undoubtedly doing" or "is certainly doing". These options convey a similar meaning with a heightened sense of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "must be doing"?

It is suitable when you want to express a strong inference or logical conclusion about someone's current activities based on available information or context.

What's the difference between "should be doing" and "must be doing"?

"Should be doing" suggests an expectation or obligation, while "must be doing" implies a strong deduction or inference based on current circumstances. The former carries a sense of advisability, while the latter indicates a high degree of certainty.

Can "must be doing" be used in the past tense?

No, "must be doing" refers to an action happening in the present. To refer to an action that you strongly infer happened in the past, use "must have done".