are a must

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a must" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is essential or compulsory. For example: "Good communication skills are a must in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reservations are a must.

The New York Times

economists — are a must.

The New York Times

"So condoms are a must".

The Guardian

Grilled chicken and fish are a must.

The New York Times - Sports

In winter, reservations are a must.

The New York Times - Travel

Treats are a must on steamy days.

The New York Times

Advance reservations are a must.

BBC

Good RF engineering techniques are a must".

Forbes

Tissues are a must.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And fairy lights are a must-have.

Independent

Mirrors are a must-have!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of something, use "are a must" to clearly communicate its essential nature. For example, "Strong research skills are a must for any successful academic."

Common error

While "are a must" is effective, avoid overuse in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "essential", "required", or "vital" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are a must" functions as a predicate adjective, emphasizing the necessity or essential quality of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

54%

News & Media

42%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are a must" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to express that something is essential or required. Ludwig AI validates this. While it appears most frequently in Wiki and News & Media content, making it generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of the potential for overuse and consider employing synonyms like "are essential" or "are required" to maintain variety. When writing, ensure that the subject is plural to match the verb "are". Ultimately, "are a must" is a useful phrase for clearly communicating the necessity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are essential

Replaces "a must" with "essential", maintaining the meaning of being absolutely necessary.

are required

Substitutes "a must" with "required", focusing on the obligatory aspect.

are vital

Emphasizes the importance of something by using "vital" instead of "a must".

are indispensable

Highlights that something cannot be done without, similar to being a must.

are crucial

Replaces the phrase with "crucial" to underline the critical importance.

are obligatory

Focuses on the mandatory nature of something, comparable to being a must.

are imperative

Replaces with "imperative" to stress the urgency and necessity.

are non-negotiable

Highlights that something cannot be compromised on, much like being a must.

are a necessity

Replaces "a must" with "a necessity" making it a noun phrase.

cannot be skipped

Expresses the idea that something is a must by stating it "cannot be skipped."

FAQs

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

Use "are a must" to emphasize that something is essential or necessary. For example, "Valid passport and visa "are a must" for international travel."

What are some alternatives to "are a must"?

You can use alternatives such as "are essential", "are required", or "are vital" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "are essential" instead of "are a must"?

While both phrases convey necessity, "are essential" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "are a must", which is more common in general usage.

When should I use "are a must" instead of "is a must"?

Use "are a must" when referring to plural subjects. For example, "Comfortable shoes "are a must" for a walking tour". Use "is a must" for singular subjects.