must already be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'must already be' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that something must have already happened or exists, or is likely to have happened or exists. Example: The package must already be here; I tracked it and it says it was delivered two hours ago.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It must already be covered with indecency laws," he added.

Independent

Central bankers must already be looking back on recent sunny uplands with a touch of nostalgia.

The Economist

The second question is one that the Met management must already be pondering.

The New Yorker

Imagine the things he must already be whispering in Pennington's ear.

The New York Times

Rushdie must already be on standby to review Heller's next book.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They must already be strategizing about how to curb this possibly dangerous young man".

The New York Times

To use AOL Anywhere to get AOL mail, one must already be an AOL subscriber.

The New York Times - Tech

American officials must already be wondering what will happen to the fight against Al Qaeda if Mr. Saleh is deposed.

The New York Times

When you launch a surgical operation, you must already be well deployed to follow it through with larger forces.

The New York Times

Your payment of £6.50 per hour goes to your campaigning organisation so you must already be a volunteer.

The Guardian - Travel

A number of these cell phone and their IDs must already be known- for instance those of the crew.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must already be" when you want to convey a strong belief or logical conclusion that something is in a particular state or has already happened based on the available evidence or context.

Common error

Avoid using "must already be" when the situation requires less certainty. In cases where the conclusion is only a possibility, consider using "may already be" or "might already be" to convey a weaker level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must already be" functions as an epistemic modal expression, indicating a high degree of certainty or logical necessity regarding a situation or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses that something must have already happened or exists. Examples show it used to draw conclusions based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must already be" is a common phrase used to express a strong belief or logical deduction that something is in a particular state or has already happened. Ludwig AI validates its correctness for use in writing. As the examples indicate, it is frequently employed across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's crucial to avoid overusing it in situations requiring less certainty. Consider using alternative phrases like "may already be" or "should already be" when a weaker level of certainty is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should already exist

Replaces the modal verb "must" with "should", suggesting a weaker expectation or logical conclusion.

is expected to already be

Replaces the modal "must" with an explicit expression of expectation.

is presumed to already be

Uses "presumed" to indicate an assumption about the current state.

has to already be

Substitutes "must" with "has to", conveying a sense of obligation or necessity.

necessarily is already

Emphasizes the inevitability of something existing.

logically is already

Highlights the logical necessity of something being in a certain state.

it follows that it already is

Formal rephrasing to indicate a deduction that something exists.

it can be assumed it already is

Replaces the modal verb with an explicit statement of assumption.

it stands to reason it already is

Rephrasing to suggest that something is reasonably expected to be the case.

it is a foregone conclusion it already is

Emphasizes the certainty of a prior state or event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must already be" to sound less assertive?

To sound less assertive, you can use phrases like "may already be", "might already be", or "could already be". These options convey a possibility rather than a strong conviction.

When is it appropriate to use "must already be"?

"Must already be" is appropriate when you have strong evidence or logical reasoning to support the conclusion that something is in a certain state or has already occurred. It implies a high degree of certainty.

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

"Must already be" indicates a strong belief based on evidence, while "should already be" suggests an expectation based on a standard or plan. "Must" implies greater certainty than "should".

Can "must already be" be used in questions?

While less common, "must already be" can be used in rhetorical questions to express surprise or disbelief. For example, "The package must already be here? I was told it would arrive tomorrow."