must be caught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be caught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is necessary to be captured or apprehended, often in a context involving rules or requirements. Example: "In order to win the game, the player must be caught by the opposing team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"He must be caught.

The Guardian

She said the perpetrator must be caught before someone is killed.

Independent

The ball must be caught and thrown in one continuous motion.

Britannica

While cheaters must be caught, effective studies of the T/E ratio are still lacking.

The New York Times - Sports

But before it can be given a home, the alligator must be caught.

The New York Times

"Rabbits must be caught calmly and with a minimum of chasing," the document stated.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The innocent must be protected, but the guilty must also be caught, he will suggest.

The Guardian

Harsh punishments are ineffective, since the cheat must first be caught.

The Economist

Even an article on abusive relationships moved readers to assert that children must not be caught in the crossfire.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Washington is dominated by elected and appointed functionaries who are schooled to believe they must never be caught having fun," Lait and Mortimer wrote.

The New York Times - Magazine

The girl of the title is Viveca (played with savvy double-edged radiance by LaChanze), who treats life as an open audition in which you must never be caught with your smile down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey. "Must" indicates a stronger obligation than "should" or "could".

Common error

Avoid using "must be caught" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The thief must be caught by the police", consider "The police must catch the thief".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be caught" functions primarily as a passive construction expressing necessity or obligation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase often appears in contexts where apprehension or capture is crucial. It's used to emphasize the requirement for someone or something to be caught.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be caught" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction expressing the necessity of capturing someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's prevalent in diverse contexts like news, encyclopedias, and science, and maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While synonyms like "needs to be apprehended" or "has to be captured" offer alternatives, the core meaning of obligation remains consistent. When using the phrase, clarity in context and awareness of the active vs. passive voice are key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be apprehended

Emphasizes the necessity of apprehension but uses different wording.

has to be captured

Replaces "must" with "has to", maintaining a similar level of obligation.

should be captured

Softens the obligation slightly compared to "must".

ought to be caught

Formal alternative expressing moral obligation.

is required to be caught

Formal and explicit about the requirement.

is essential to capture

Highlights the essential nature of the capture.

it's imperative to catch

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of catching someone or something.

absolutely needs catching

Emphasizes the absolute necessity.

cannot be allowed to escape

Focuses on preventing escape instead of the act of catching.

is liable for capture

States that someone is subject to being caught.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be caught" indicates a necessity or obligation for something or someone to be captured. For example: "The escaped prisoner "must be caught" before he harms anyone".

What are some alternatives to using "must be caught"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "needs to be apprehended", "has to be captured", or "should be captured" as alternatives to "must be caught".

Is there a difference between "must be caught" and "should be caught"?

"Must be caught" implies a stronger obligation or necessity than "should be caught". "Should be caught" suggests a recommendation or advisability, whereas "must be caught" suggests a requirement.

When is it better to use "must be caught" instead of a more active phrasing?

Use "must be caught" when you want to emphasize the object or recipient of the action rather than the actor. For example, "The error "must be caught"" focuses on the error itself, not who needs to catch it.