must be changed

USAGE SUMMARY

"Must be changed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a requirement or insist on making a change. Example sentence: "This policy must be changed in order to provide our employees with more benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The structure must be changed.

The Economist

Yes, this must be changed.

Independent

"The law must be changed.

The Guardian

It must be changed.

Nature

That must be changed.

The New York Times

This must be changed.

The Guardian

"The model must be changed.

The New York Times

'The law must be changed,' Cairns said.

The Guardian

How clothing must be changed daily.

The Washington Post

The laws subsidizing these toxic incinerators must be changed.

The New York Times

They believe that the Iranian regime must be changed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be changed", ensure that the context clearly indicates what needs to be changed and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "must be changed" without specifying what the subject is. For example, instead of saying "Things must be changed", specify what "things" you are referring to, such as "The current regulations must be changed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be changed" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a necessity or obligation for something to undergo alteration. Ludwig shows many examples in which policies, laws, or systems are described as needing change to improve or correct them. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be changed" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong need for alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, it serves to express a compelling argument for necessary modifications. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what requires change to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "needs to be altered" or "should be modified" can offer nuanced variations in tone, depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be altered

Changes "must" to "needs", softening the tone slightly while maintaining the core meaning of required alteration.

should be modified

Replaces "must" with "should", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict necessity.

requires modification

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based construction, emphasizing the need for change.

is essential to alter

Highlights the importance of the alteration, using "essential" to convey the necessity.

demands alteration

Uses a stronger verb, "demands", to emphasize the urgency and importance of the change.

it is imperative to change

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of change using "imperative".

alteration is required

Puts focus on the "alteration" rather than the action of changing.

transformation is needed

Indicates a deeper more fundamental change using "transformation".

calls for revision

Suggests a formal review and adjustment with the word "revision".

necessitates a change

Transforms the phrase to highlight a consequential relationship where something else is causing it to change.

FAQs

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

Use "must be changed" to express a strong necessity for something to be altered. For instance, "The current policy "must be changed" to reflect the new regulations".

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

Alternatives include "needs to be altered", "should be modified", or "requires modification", depending on the level of necessity you want to convey.

Is "must be changed" formal or informal?

"Must be changed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it carries a strong tone of necessity. Consider your audience when choosing this phrase.

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

"Must be changed" indicates a mandatory requirement, while "should be changed" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The former is stronger and implies a higher degree of necessity.