it must be directed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must be directed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something needs to be aimed or focused in a specific direction or towards a particular target. Example: "For the project to succeed, it must be directed towards the needs of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Ott offers an intriguing discussion of Malebranche's arguments for occasionalism, having argued that Malebranche held the "cognitive model of causation," which entails both that a "cause must logically necessitate its effect" and that "it must be directed at that effect by in some sense 'including' it" (14).

Johns Hopkins University

Most important, it must be directed with musical lightness and speed (2 05).

The New York Times

Most important, it must be directed with musical lightness and speed.

The New York Times

For a film to accommodate music of the highest artistry, the movie itself — if it isn't to be overwhelmed by it — must be directed at a comparable level of artistry, and the filmmaker's approach to the soundtrack must be at the level of the creation of images.

The New Yorker

"There's a lot of anger, but it must be directed," he added.

Vice

Lord Bingham of Cornhill said that under Article 9(2), for a restriction to be justified it must be "prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society for a permissible purpose, that is, it must be directed to a legitimate purpose and must be proportionate in scope and effect".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It must be DIRECT sun, and it takes longer than you think to make it burn stuff, so be patient.

WikiHow

The budgeting process needs to be clarified and simplified so that most people can understand it, and staff must be directed to allow public documents to be seen by the public without a lot of difficulty.

Huffington Post

All uses of the camera, whether it be used straight on or at an angle, whether it be stationary or moving, must be directed to one and only one thing, namely to the dramatic impact of pictorial images that are to be cut together to reveal the progress of an action or story.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The show must be directed toward highly skilled do-it-yourselfers, because the explanations along the way are sketchy.

The New York Times

Give it 2-4% of your concentration, but the rest must be directed into your topic.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must be directed", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it must be directed" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The blame must be directed at the manager", consider "The manager must be blamed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must be directed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating necessity or obligation combined with the passive voice. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase emphasizes the need for something to be aimed or channeled in a specific way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must be directed" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong necessity for something to be aimed or channeled in a particular way. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds its usage across a range of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, "it must be directed" is best suited for formal contexts where a clear and directive tone is required. When writing, consider alternatives such as "it needs to be aimed" or "it should be oriented" for less formal situations. Remember to ensure clarity about what "it" refers to in your sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has to be aimed

Replaces "must" with "has to", conveying a similar sense of obligation or necessity regarding direction.

it needs to be channeled

Emphasizes the idea of guiding or directing something, especially energy or resources, towards a specific purpose.

it should be oriented

Focuses on aligning or positioning something in a specific direction or towards a particular focus.

it is required to be aimed

Uses a more formal tone to express that aiming is a requirement.

it is necessary to be directed

Highlights the necessity of directing something towards a specific purpose or recipient.

it is imperative to direct

Replaces "must be" with "is imperative to", highlighting the urgency and necessity of the direction.

it is essential that it be directed

Changes the structure to emphasize the essential nature of the direction.

it's crucial to aim

Shifts the focus to the importance of aiming, rather than the obligation.

it has got to be targeted

Emphasizes focusing efforts or resources on a specific target.

it is important to channel

Highlights the importance of guiding or directing something.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is imperative to direct" or "it is essential that it be directed". These options emphasize the necessity and importance of the action.

What's a simpler way to say "it must be directed"?

You could use alternatives such as "it needs to be aimed" or "it should be focused" for a more straightforward and less formal tone.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "it must be directed"?

"It must be directed" is appropriate in contexts where there is a strong need to emphasize that something requires specific guidance or channeling. This can include discussions of policy, resources, or even blame, as seen in examples from "news media" and academic sources.

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

"It must be directed" implies a stronger obligation or necessity than "it should be directed". The former suggests that a specific course of action is essential, while the latter indicates a recommendation or suggestion.