is a must

USAGE SUMMARY

"is a must" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is necessary or obligatory. For example: "Getting a good night's sleep is a must for athletes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Headwear is a must.

Independent

Awareness is a must.

The New York Times - Sports

Popcorn is a must.

The New York Times - Food

Transparency is a must.

The Economist

More information is a must.

The New York Times

Sun block is a must.

The New York Times - Travel

Risk calibration is a must.

The New York Times

"Independent investigation is a must".

The New York Times

Insurance is a must.

BBC

Maturity is a must.

Forbes

Productivity is a must.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a must" to emphasize the critical importance of something, particularly in situations where clarity and directness are valued. For instance, "Safety training is a must for all new employees."

Common error

Avoid using "is a must" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or forceful. Consider alternatives like "is important" or "is necessary" for a more balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a must" functions as a predicate nominative, where "must" acts as a noun referring to something essential or obligatory. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound. Examples show its use to highlight the importance of various items or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

48%

News & Media

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is a must" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize the necessity or essential nature of something. As shown in various examples from Ludwig, it is primarily used in news, media, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it can be considered slightly informal and might be replaced with more formal synonyms like "essential" or "required" in academic or scientific writing. It's crucial to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly forceful in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is essential

Replaces "a must" with "essential", maintaining the sense of high importance.

is crucial

Highlights the importance of something by describing it as "crucial".

is a necessity

Substitutes "must" with the noun "necessity", keeping the core meaning intact.

is vital

Indicates that something is extremely important and necessary.

is required

Uses a more formal term, "required", to express necessity.

is indispensable

Emphasizes the crucial nature of something by stating it's indispensable.

is paramount

Elevates the importance of something to the highest level.

is obligatory

Employs a more formal and legalistic term, "obligatory", to indicate a requirement.

is non-negotiable

Conveys the firmness of a requirement, suggesting it's not open for discussion.

cannot be omitted

Expresses the idea that something is so important that it cannot be left out.

FAQs

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

Use "is a must" to emphasize something that is absolutely necessary or essential. For example, "Having a valid passport "is a must" for international travel."

What are some alternatives to saying "is a must"?

You can use alternatives such as "is essential", "is required", or "is indispensable" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is there a difference between saying "is a must" and "is necessary"?

While both phrases indicate importance, ""is a must"" often carries a stronger sense of obligation or critical importance compared to "is necessary", which can be used for more general requirements.

When is it appropriate to use "is a must" in writing?

Use "is a must" when you want to strongly emphasize that something is not optional and is absolutely required for success or safety. It's suitable for instructions, guidelines, and situations where clarity and forcefulness are needed.