it must be kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must be kept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the necessity of maintaining or preserving something. Example: "In order to ensure the integrity of the project, it must be kept confidential at all times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, it must be kept in mind that delaying its use in severe CCB poisoning is likely to reduce its clinical benefit markedly.

Critical Care

It must be kept in good working order.

The Economist

It must be kept intact under the terms of the will.

The New Yorker

Many phones still use the 2G network, so it must be kept running.

The New York Times - Tech

It took some time to discover that it was sensitive to water and that it must be kept dry.

The New Yorker

It must be kept simple and the charity should ensure that it gets some really good advice too.

The Guardian

A ton of Vaseline will be used in the show, and some of it must be kept cool.

The New York Times - Arts

It says that child pornography is so toxic it must be kept in a secure government facility.

The New York Times

"It must be kept within the council," he said.

BBC

It must be kept to a minimum while respecting the reliability constraints (LDRdesired).

Solar Energy

In this regard, it must be kept in mind that preload responsiveness is a normal condition.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must be kept", ensure that the subject is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It must be kept secure", specify what "it" refers to: "The confidential data must be kept secure."

Common error

Avoid using "it must be kept" in overly casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for more natural alternatives like "needs to be", "should be", or "has to be" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must be kept" typically functions as part of a clause expressing necessity or obligation regarding the state or condition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must be kept" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the necessity of maintaining something in a particular state or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for use in English, though its level of formality can be adjusted with synonyms to better suit the context. It appears frequently in both scientific and news media, showing its versatility across different types of writing. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the importance of maintaining a specific requirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it needs to be maintained

Replaces "must" with "needs to", softening the tone while retaining the core meaning of required upkeep.

it should be preserved

Substitutes "kept" with "preserved", emphasizing the act of protecting something from harm or change.

it is essential to maintain

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic construction, highlighting the critical importance of maintenance.

it is imperative to preserve

Similar to the previous one, this alternative is more formal than the original phrase, stressing urgency.

it is vital that it's maintained

Uses "vital" to underscore the necessity, while also changing the sentence structure to include "that".

it requires upkeep

Shifts the focus to the requirement of upkeep, simplifying the language and making it less formal.

it demands preservation

Emphasizes the need for preservation, using stronger verb "demands".

care must be taken of it

Rephrases the idea to focus on the act of taking care, changing the sentence's structure and tone.

it has to be safeguarded

Emphasizes the need for protection, using a more specific verb "safeguarded".

it is under a duty to keep

This alternative has legal connotations and suggests a formal obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "it must be kept" in a sentence?

You can use "it must be kept" to emphasize the importance of maintaining or preserving something. For example, "For the experiment to work, the temperature "it must be kept" constant", or, "The document "it must be kept" confidential".

What are some alternatives to "it must be kept"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it needs to be maintained", "it should be preserved", or "it is essential to maintain".

Is "it must be kept" formal or informal?

The phrase ""it must be kept"" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While grammatically sound, it's more common in professional or academic writing than in casual conversation.

What does "it must be kept in mind" mean?

The expression "it must be kept in mind" introduces a crucial consideration or reminder. It means something should not be forgotten or overlooked. An alternative way to put it is "it should be borne in mind".