must be allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be allowed" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase when you are talking about something that is necessary or expected to happen. For example, "The teacher said that we must be allowed to take the test on a later date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This process must be allowed to proceed.

The New York Times

"It must be allowed to stand.

The Guardian

Our newspapers must be allowed to mature".

The New York Times

This progress must be allowed to continue.

The Guardian

Palestinians must be allowed to move in and out".

The New York Times

And its banks must be allowed to merge and fail.

The Economist

That means that the yuan must be allowed to rise.

The Economist

"I must be allowed to say that in Germany.

The New York Times

The sickest firms must be allowed to fail.

The Economist

Ukrainians must be allowed to sort out their own problems.

The New York Times

Federal funds must be allowed for routine maintenance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be allowed" to clearly state a requirement or permission, especially when outlining rules or regulations. For example, "All visitors must be allowed access during visiting hours."

Common error

Avoid using "must be allowed" in casual conversation where a softer phrasing like "should be able to" or "can" would be more appropriate. It can sound overly formal or demanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be allowed" functions as a modal construction expressing necessity or permission. It combines the modal verb 'must,' indicating obligation or requirement, with the passive voice 'be allowed,' signifying that someone or something is granted permission. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be allowed" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express necessity or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions primarily in neutral to formal registers, frequently appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives include "should be permitted" and "has to be authorized", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be permitted

Replaces "must" with "should", softening the obligation but still implying a degree of permissibility.

should be authorized

Similar to "should be permitted" but implies a more formal authorization.

has to be authorized

Substitutes "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting an official approval process is necessary.

is required to be permitted

Emphasizes the necessity of permission, adding a layer of formality.

needs to be approved

Focuses on the need for approval, highlighting the conditionality of the action.

is essential to permit

Highlights the essential nature of granting permission, emphasizing its importance.

cannot be denied

Expresses a strong sense of entitlement, indicating that refusal is unacceptable.

is imperative to grant

Stresses the urgency and importance of granting permission.

deserves to be permitted

Adds a sense of deserving or entitlement to the permission being granted.

warrants being allowed

Suggests that the situation justifies or calls for permission to be granted.

FAQs

How can I use "must be allowed" in a sentence?

Use "must be allowed" to express that something is required or permitted according to a rule, law, or expectation. For instance, "All students "must be allowed" extra time on the exam."

What are some alternatives to saying "must be allowed"?

You can use alternatives such as "should be permitted", "has to be authorized", or "needs to be approved" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "must be allowed" or "should be allowed"?

"Must be allowed" indicates a stronger obligation or requirement, while "should be allowed" suggests a recommendation or softer expectation. The choice depends on the strength of the rule or expectation you want to convey.

What's the difference between "must be allowed" and "can be allowed"?

"Must be allowed" implies a necessity or entitlement, whereas "can be allowed" suggests permission that may or may not be granted. "Must" indicates a stronger obligation than "can".