Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
absolutely must have
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
is required
cannot do without
is a prerequisite
needs to have
it is vital to have
is a necessity
is essential for
is a requirement
is recommended
is an imperative
is indispensable
is key to
is a required step
is an essential element
is a must
is unavoidable
i necessarily need
is more a formality
must required is
has to be a given
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
2) You must, absolutely must, have a P.S. (post-script).
News & Media
"But before the evening ends, I absolutely must have apple pie and ice cream".
News & Media
Recent history shows that when the Yankees convince themselves they absolutely must have a certain player, they get their man.
News & Media
Because this type of novel absolutely must have an ominous prologue, "Spiral" begins in the Pacific in 1946.
News & Media
This brings us to the second rule of attraction selection: that the facility absolutely must have a roof.
News & Media
You absolutely must have a firm grasp of how much (or little) money you're making from day one.
News & Media
Then she expressed a summary judgment: "The only thing I absolutely must have is a hair dryer.
News & Media
When a team absolutely must have a certain player, it almost always overpays and looks back in regret.
News & Media
That said, for many people who absolutely must have the N.F.L. package, they've already switched to satellite.
News & Media
Fruit is like emotion — you absolutely must have it, but if you exude raw emotion all of the time you become sappy and intolerable.
News & Media
Instead, Obama is running on a suboptimal plan — when we absolutely must have optimal — and the slogan "I'm not Mitt Romney".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In persuasive writing, use this phrase sparingly to maintain its impact; overusing extreme intensifiers can lead to 'hyperbole fatigue' for the reader.
Common error
Avoid using "absolutely must have" in contexts where a simple 'need' is more accurate. Adding 'absolutely' to 'must' is technically a tautology since 'must' already implies a total requirement, though it is widely accepted for rhetorical emphasis.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "absolutely must have" acts as an intensified modal construction. The adverb 'absolutely' modifies the modal verb 'must' to remove any ambiguity regarding the necessity of the following verb 'have'. According to Ludwig, it serves to heighten the sense of obligation or indispensable requirement.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
30%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Science
5%
Social Media
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "absolutely must have" is a powerful tool for emphasizing a high-priority requirement. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a common and grammatically correct way to signal that something is indispensable, appearing frequently in top-tier journalism and instructional content. While it is technically a form of reinforcement (since 'must' is already a strong modal), the addition of 'absolutely' provides the rhetorical weight needed to distinguish critical items from optional ones. For the best results, use it when the necessity is truly absolute, and consider alternatives like "essential to have" for a more formal or clinical tone.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
simply must have
Slightly less intense but still emphasizes a strong necessity or desire.
essential to have
Changes the structure to an adjective-based requirement, making it more formal.
cannot do without
An idiomatic way to express that something is indispensable.
is a prerequisite
Focuses on the logical necessity before a certain action or outcome.
strictly require
Swaps the modal construction for a direct verb with an adverb of intensity.
imperative to possess
Uses more sophisticated vocabulary, suitable for high-level formal writing.
needs to have
A simpler, more common alternative that lacks the intensified 'absolutely' modifier.
cannot be without
Similar to 'cannot do without' but focuses more on the state of possession.
it is vital to have
Shifts the focus to the importance of the object itself using an expletive construction.
mandatory to have
Often used in legal or regulatory contexts to denote a compulsory requirement.
FAQs
How to use "absolutely must have" in a sentence?
You can use it to emphasize a strict requirement, for example: 'The candidate "absolutely must have" prior experience in project management to be considered for the role.'
What can I say instead of "absolutely must have"?
Depending on the tone, you can use "strictly require" for formal contexts or "simply must have" for a slightly lighter but still firm emphasis.
Is "absolutely must have" grammatically correct?
Yes, it is grammatically correct. While 'must' already indicates necessity, the adverb 'absolutely' is used for intensification. Ludwig AI shows frequent use in major publications like The New York Times.
What is the difference between "absolutely must have" and "essential to have"?
The phrase "absolutely must have" uses a modal verb and is more direct and forceful. In contrast, "essential to have" is an adjective phrase that often sounds more objective or descriptive.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested