it must add

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must add" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something should contribute or increase a particular quality or quantity. Example: "In order to improve our project, it must add value to the overall outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"If it is quality work, it must add to its appeal," says Dawn Carrick, a director of Jackson-Stops & Staff, a London-based real estate agency that is not involved in the project.

The New York Times

If landlocked Rwanda is to have a future, he says, it must add value, to its people by education, then to its tea, coffee, mining and tourism.Its recent history of genocide makes other extraordinary demands.

The Economist

The services business is becoming commoditised, as hardware did before it, and IBM knows it must add intellectual property to its offerings.

The Economist

With companies talking about the need to keep up with Internet traffic -- WorldCom says it must add the equivalent of its entire 1998 network every month by next year -- MEMS switches could become a billion-dollar market by 2003, according to industry analysts.

The New York Times

It must add up to hundreds of pukings.

The New Yorker

I wonder if it's hard to work for his father – it must add an extra level of stress to performing well at work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But, throughout the years, I've learned how to fake it and, I must add, fake it well.

Huffington Post

That method of change was good for our Fathers, and, being somewhat old-fashioned, I must add it is good enough for me.

Wikipedia

However, to claim it Casey must add the Scottish title to the Irish Open victory he secured at Carton House near Dublin a fortnight ago.

Independent

I have since read it and must add that a woman embarking on a career of writing needs those powers one hundredfold.

The Guardian - Books

It now must add another in the person of Trump himself, clearly a foreign policy novice, no matter how well-intentioned he might be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must add", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined and understood in the context. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it must add" when the addition is not essential but merely optional. Use alternatives like "it could add" or "it might enhance" to indicate possibility rather than necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must add" functions as a modal expression indicating necessity or obligation. It suggests that adding something is essential or required for a particular purpose or outcome. As shown by Ludwig, it is widely used in News & Media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it must add" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the necessity of adding something for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent usage in news and media, science, and business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, formality can vary depending on the surrounding content. When using "it must add", ensure clarity and avoid using it when the addition is merely optional. Alternative phrases, such as "it should incorporate" or "it needs to include", can offer different nuances and levels of forcefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it needs to include

Changes the modality from 'must' (necessity) to 'needs' (requirement).

it has to contribute

Uses 'has to' for emphasis, and 'contribute' focuses on the positive impact.

it should incorporate

Replaces 'add' with 'incorporate', implying a more integrated addition.

it is required to supplement

More formal, suggesting a necessary addition to complete something.

it's crucial to integrate

Similar to 'incorporate' but emphasizes importance ('crucial').

it requires the addition of

Focuses on the act of adding rather than the addition itself.

it's vital to attach

Implies connecting or linking something to another.

it is necessary to augment

Suggests increasing something that already exists.

it is essential to append

Highly formal and technical, implying adding something at the end.

it is imperative to affix

Formal and somewhat archaic, suggesting firmly attaching something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it must add" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it is required to supplement" or "it is essential to append", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's a less forceful way to express the idea of "it must add"?

If you want to soften the obligation, you can use phrases such as "it should incorporate" or "it needs to include", which suggest a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

Is "it must add" always the best choice, or are there times when another phrase is more appropriate?

While "it must add" is grammatically sound, other phrases may be more fitting depending on the context. For instance, if you're emphasizing contribution, "it has to contribute" might be preferable. If the addition is about integration, "it's crucial to integrate" may be a better alternative.

How does "it must add" differ from "it could add" in meaning?

"It must add" indicates a necessity or requirement, while "it could add" suggests a possibility or option. The choice between the two depends on whether the addition is essential or merely beneficial.