must be best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be best" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a superlative quality but lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "This option must be the best choice for our project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Therefore, the music they like the most, indie, must be best.

The Guardian - Music

The spirited Ms. Delaney, known for her limited deployment of plant matter, is fond of debunking popular ideas about Landscape, whether it is the notion that man-made materials are anathema to a garden's spirit or that costly custom-made things must be best.

The New York Times - Style

Looks like she must be best buds with Justin Timberlake, right?

TechCrunch

25 Measurement of satisfaction is problematic because of the "what is, must be best" phenomenon.

British Medical Journal

There is evidence to indicate the presence of the 'what is must be best' belief where the public values the status quo over options for which they have little experience [ 40, 41].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Contrasting discourse were generated in this study; "women are the experts in giving birth, trust our bodies to keep us safe', 'Australia is one of the safest countries in which to give birth or be born, what is must be best'.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is draining to approach patients as possible adversaries who must be bested.

The New York Times - Health

Today, Twitter is a different beast with more than 200 million users and an array of products (Web, mobile, tablets) that must be best-of-breed.

TechCrunch

Ah, that will be the perception that all cyclists are cheats and that the best cyclists must be the best cheats.

BBC

Everyone was telling us that was the best Leicester team ever, so we must be the best Wasps team ever".

The Guardian - Sport

We must be the best.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, always expand "must be best" to a complete phrase like "must be the best" or "has to be the best" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "must be best" as a standalone phrase. Instead, ensure that you specify what is being compared to achieve the superlative degree. For example, instead of saying "This must be best", clarify it to "This must be the best option".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be best" functions as an evaluative expression attempting to convey a superlative degree. However, it's grammatically incomplete in standard English, requiring the addition of 'the' to form "must be the best." Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "must be best" appears in various contexts, it's generally grammatically incomplete and requires refinement. As Ludwig AI explains, standard English usage dictates including "the" to form "must be the best" for grammatical correctness. The phrase aims to express a superlative, but its effectiveness is hindered by its grammatical ambiguity. For formal and professional writing, it's advisable to use more complete and grammatically sound alternatives such as "has to be the best" or "should be the best". Therefore, consider the context and audience when using this phrase, opting for clarity and precision in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be the best

Replaces "must" with "has to", providing a clearer indication of necessity or strong likelihood.

should be the best

Substitutes "must" with "should", softening the assertion to a recommendation or expectation.

is definitely the best

Adds "definitely" to emphasize the certainty of being the best.

is undoubtedly the best

Uses "undoubtedly" to remove any doubt about being the best.

is certainly the best

Employs "certainly" to confirm the superlative quality.

is assuredly the best

Replaces "certainly" with "assuredly" to confirm the superlative quality.

is widely considered the best

Attributes the superlative to a broader consensus.

is regarded as the best

Similar to "widely considered", but with a slightly more formal tone.

is presumed to be the best

Indicates a belief or assumption about being the best, without absolute certainty.

is possibly the best

Acknowledges that it may be the best but leaves room for other possibilities.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "must be best" in a sentence?

To use "must be best" correctly, ensure you include "the" before "best", making it "must be the best". For example, "This solution must be the best approach" is grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to "must be best" that sound more natural?

More natural alternatives include phrases like "has to be the best", "should be the best", or "is definitely the best", which provide a clearer and more common way to express a superlative.

Is there a difference between saying "must be best" and "must be the best"?

Yes, the inclusion of "the" is crucial. "Must be best" is grammatically incorrect and sounds incomplete, whereas "must be the best" is grammatically correct and expresses a complete thought, indicating something is superior to all others in its category.

When is it appropriate to use "must be best" in writing?

While technically incorrect in formal writing, "must be best" may appear in informal contexts like casual speech or creative writing where strict grammatical rules are sometimes relaxed for stylistic effect. However, in academic or professional settings, it's advisable to use "must be the best" or similar alternatives.