must be bare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be bare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be without covering or decoration, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The requirements for the project must be bare to ensure clarity and focus on the essential elements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hands must be bare.

The New York Times - Sports

In general, legs and feet must be bare to grip the pole.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shane, unless her three cat boxes are pristine — two must be bare, one filled with litter, each on a different floor of the house — wets the cork floor in the dining room.

The New York Times

I saved some for the next winter, when I would again scatter them over a patch of bare ground -- it must be bare, or the seeds won't grow -- and wait for their mystical blooms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

2. Midriffs must be bared to allow breathing.

The New York Times - Arts

Its smoke and mirror policymaking must be laid bare, and that's what I intend to do in today's Opposition Day Debate on climate and flooding.

Independent

This is not acceptable: providing sufficient funding to guarantee the basics of life refugees need must be the bare minimum expected of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Sufficient funding to guarantee the basics of life that these refugees need must be the bare minimum expected of us," he writes in the Guardian, calling for "a new approach to humanitarian aid in the region".

The Guardian

Labour's policy cupboard may be bare.

The Economist

Everything else must be reduced to a bare minimum".

The Guardian

Sacchi and the classicists, including the Frenchman Nicolas Poussin, held that a scene must be depicted with a bare minimum of figures, each with its own clearly defined role, and compared the composition to that of a tragedy in literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be bare" to describe requirements, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretations. For example, specify what must be bare and why.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "must be bare" excessively in formal writing can sound overly direct or informal. Consider alternatives like "is required to be plain" or "needs to be exposed" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Must be bare functions primarily as a modal phrase expressing necessity or requirement for a state of being. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For example, the phrase might specify conditions where something must exist without coverings or embellishments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be bare" is grammatically sound and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys a necessity for something to be uncovered, minimal, or unadorned. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in varied contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "must be bare", ensure clarity and avoid overuse in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "needs to be exposed" or "should be uncovered" for tonal variation. The examples illustrate its real-world application across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be exposed

Focuses on the necessity of revealing something.

should be uncovered

Implies a recommendation or expectation for something to be revealed.

has to be minimal

Shifts the focus to a required reduction or simplification.

is required to be plain

Emphasizes the necessity of simplicity and lack of embellishment.

needs to be unadorned

Highlights the absence of decoration as a requirement.

ought to be naked

Suggests a moral or logical obligation for something to be without covering.

should remain open

Emphasizes a preference or a recommendation that something should stay uncovered or accessible.

is essential to be clear

Stresses the importance of clarity, suggesting a lack of ambiguity.

demands to be simple

Implies a strong requirement for simplicity.

requires being stripped down

Focuses on the action of removing unnecessary elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be bare" to describe a requirement for something to be uncovered or without adornment. For example, "In pole fitness, legs "must be bare" for grip."

What does "must be bare" mean?

"Must be bare" indicates a necessity for something to be without covering or decoration. It implies that a specific condition or requirement demands a lack of adornment or exposure.

Are there alternatives to saying "must be bare"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "needs to be exposed", "should be uncovered", or "has to be minimal". Each alternative provides a slightly different nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "must be bare" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "must be bare" in formal writing might come across as too direct. Consider using phrases like "is required to be plain" or "needs to be unadorned" for a more professional tone.