must be collected

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be collected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something needs to be acquired or obtained. For example, "All items from the library must be collected before the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of the returned products from clients must be collected at the collection centers.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

It said data must be collected.

The Guardian

Data must be collected and analyzed.

The Washington Post

Water must be collected from a river that contains landmines.

The Guardian

All of the money must be collected within a year.

The Guardian - Books

Blood samples must be collected with EDTA as the anticoagulant.

Cornell University

Before the Deep Thunder computer takes over, though, data must be collected.

The New York Times - Tech

Because Venice has no roads, trash must be collected on foot at enormous expense.

The New York Times

The paper states that, "Personal data must be collected for specified purposes.

The Guardian

"Certain pieces of data must be collected and mailed back to Mountain View, California.

The Guardian - Tech

The blood must be collected within 24 hours of a birth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be collected" in formal writing, ensure that the subject performing the collection is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Samples must be collected", specify "Researchers must collect the samples."

Common error

While "must be collected" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound vague and impersonal. Whenever possible, rephrase to use the active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "Data must be collected", consider "Researchers must collect data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be collected" functions as a passive construction indicating obligation or necessity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. It highlights the action that needs to be performed on a particular object or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be collected" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to express a requirement or necessity for gathering or retrieving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and frequently used in diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. Common usage patterns indicate a neutral to formal register. When writing, clarity can be enhanced by specifying who is responsible for the collection, and avoiding overuse of the passive voice can lead to more engaging prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be gathered

Emphasizes obligation to gather, similar to necessity.

needs to be retrieved

Focuses on the need for retrieval, implying a prior state of being placed or stored.

should be accumulated

Highlights the accumulation aspect, suggesting a gradual collection over time.

is required to be compiled

Emphasizes the formal requirement for compilation, often used in data collection contexts.

is essential to be harvested

Implies a crucial need for harvesting, often used in agricultural or resource management contexts.

is imperative to be obtained

Stresses the critical importance of obtaining something, often used in legal or official contexts.

is mandatory to be assembled

Focuses on the compulsory aspect of assembling components or information.

is indispensable to be compiled

Highlights the necessity of compiling something, often referring to data or information.

is crucial to be extracted

Focuses on the vital nature of extracting something specific.

has got to be picked up

An informal expression implying a necessity for picking up an item or person.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be collected" to indicate a requirement or necessity for gathering something. For example, "All returned products from retailers "must be collected"." or "Before designing cathodic protection, adequate field data "must be collected", analyzed, and evaluated."

What are some alternatives to "must be collected"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has to be gathered", "needs to be retrieved", or "should be accumulated", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "must be collected"?

While "must be collected" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "someone must collect") can often make your writing clearer and more direct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the object being collected.

What does "must be collected" imply in a formal context?

In a formal context, "must be collected" indicates a mandatory requirement or obligation. For example, "Sales tax "must be collected" on the portion of the ticket price that covers the cost of the meal(s)." implies that collecting sales tax is not optional.