it must be true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it must be true' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a way of expressing certainty about a statement. For example, you could say, "The children had never seen snow before, so it must be true that they were amazed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Chambers's account of what happened next sounds so raw in its telling it must be true.

The Guardian - Sport

It must be true.

The New York Times

So it must be true.

The Economist

The silence is ear-shattering, so it must be true.

Independent

(It's all over the Internet, so it must be true).

The New Yorker

Finchy's doing the voice over, so it must be true.

Independent

The advice sounds so reasonable it must be true.

The New York Times

So it must be true: he was past it.

The New Yorker

And if Jeter says so, it must be true.

The New York Times

That settles it, it must be true - it's in Heat!

The Guardian

It was so specific we thought it must be true.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound naive or overly simplistic. Consider stronger or more nuanced phrases for academic or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "it must be true" as a substitute for critical thinking or verification. Always strive to confirm information independently, especially in formal or academic writing, before asserting its truth based on assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must be true" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating the speaker's assessment of the likelihood or certainty of a proposition. As Ludwig AI states, it expresses certainty about a statement. The examples show it being used to convey a belief based on available information or common knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must be true" is a common phrase used to express a conclusion based on evidence or general knowledge. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a sense of certainty. While grammatically correct and widely used, its appropriateness depends on the context. It's most frequent in News & Media but less suitable for formal academic writing where direct evidence and rigorous analysis are expected. Related phrases like "it has to be true" or "it is undoubtedly true" can offer variations in emphasis and formality. Always ensure the conclusion is reasonably supported to avoid misuse of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has to be true

Changes "must be" to "has to be", suggesting a slightly stronger sense of obligation or inevitability regarding the truth.

it is undoubtedly true

Adds "undoubtedly" to emphasize the lack of doubt or question regarding the truth.

it is definitely true

Replaces "must be" with "is definitely", offering a more direct assertion of truth.

it is certainly true

Similar to "definitely true", but with a slightly more formal tone.

it is assuredly true

Uses "assuredly" to convey a sense of guaranteed truth, which is more emphatic and less common.

there's no doubt it's true

Shifts the structure to emphasize the absence of doubt about the truth.

it stands to reason that it's true

Implies that the truth is a logical conclusion based on available information.

it is logically true

Highlights that the truth stems from a coherent and rational line of reasoning.

it's verifiably true

Indicates that the truth can be confirmed or proven through evidence.

the evidence suggests it's true

Attributes the assertion of truth to the support of existing evidence, framing the truth as an informed inference.

FAQs

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

Use "it must be true" to express a conclusion based on available evidence or information. For example, "She studied for weeks; "it must be true" she will ace the exam".

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

You can use alternatives like "it has to be true", "it is certainly true", or "it is undoubtedly true" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "it must be true"?

It is best to avoid using "it must be true" in formal writing or academic contexts where a more rigorous and evidence-based approach is expected. Relying on this phrase may suggest a lack of critical analysis.

What's the difference between "it must be true" and "it is true"?

"It is true" states a fact directly, while "it must be true" implies a conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning. "It must be true" suggests a level of inference rather than a direct assertion of fact. The choice depends on whether you are stating a known fact or making an informed deduction.