it must contain

USAGE SUMMARY

'It must contain' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express necessity or obligation. For example, "In order to pass the exam, your essay must contain at least 500 words."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If the E.U. imposes a trade ban on seal products," Mr. Day said in a statement, "it must contain an exemption for any country, like Canada, that has strict guidelines in place for humane and sustainable sealing practices".

The New York Times

It must contain its fair share of concrete but appears to be fabricated from brown Styrofoam.

The Guardian - Books

(PT 33 4) But that a legal system, through its norms of competence, provides for the authoritative interpretation of its material legal norms hardly entails that it must contain a sovereign in the traditional understanding of that term.

SEP

It must contain all the experiments with its attributes, inputs and outputs clearly declared with its types, formats and specified sizes.

BMC Genomics

In order to produce new knowledge, research has to be designed and conducted in ways that will produce reliable results; in particular, it must contain a significant and clearly articulated study question, and its design must be sufficiently rigorous to answer that question.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"It must contain everything".

The New York Times

It is inadequate to the enormity of grief it must contain.

The New Yorker

It must contain at least 20% cocoa solids; America demands a measly 10%.

The Economist

It must contain 50 litres, and is labelled formic acid – which can cause oedema and subsequent failure of the lungs.

The Guardian

I've discovered that no one in my family knows exactly what should go into borscht, though there is a consensus that it must contain beets, dill, and vinegar.

The New Yorker

"I must have passed by it a million times," she said, "but I always thought it must contain miscellaneous material from the Waksman papers when they were cataloged".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must contain", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "it must contain certain elements", specify what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it must contain" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can make the tone sound overly prescriptive. Balance it with more flexible language where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must contain" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase indicating a necessity or obligation for inclusion. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to express something that is required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it must contain" serves as a crucial tool for expressing necessity and obligation, primarily indicating that something needs to include something else. As per Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase its widespread application in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, underlining its versatility. While generally acceptable, overuse of this phrase in writing could be perceived as overly prescriptive; hence, varying the language is advised. Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective and precise communication across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is required to include

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes a requirement or obligation for inclusion.

it is essential to have

Highlights the essential nature of the included element.

it needs to incorporate

Focuses on the act of incorporating something as a necessity.

it is necessary to encompass

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the inclusion.

it has to feature

More informal, suggesting a prominent inclusion.

it should embody

Implies that the item must represent or express something.

it is bound to integrate

Suggests that integration is an inevitable part of the process.

it is indispensable for

Emphasizes that the item is absolutely necessary or essential

it has to be composed of

Focuses more specifically on the elements that make up something.

it is imperative to integrate

Highlights the imperative nature of integrating something

FAQs

How can I use "it must contain" in a sentence?

Use "it must contain" to express a requirement or necessity for inclusion. For example, "The recipe must contain flour, sugar, and eggs."

What are some alternatives to "it must contain"?

You can use alternatives like "it is required to include", "it is essential to have", or "it needs to incorporate" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it must contain" and "it should contain"?

"It must contain" implies a strict requirement, while "it should contain" suggests a recommendation or preference. The former is more forceful and less flexible.

When is it appropriate to use "it must contain" in formal writing?

Use "it must contain" in formal writing when specifying essential components or requirements, particularly in legal, technical, or instructional contexts. However, be mindful of the overall tone and consider alternatives if a less prescriptive approach is desired.