must be combated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be combated" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the need for action to be taken to oppose something, especially an injustice or wrong-doing. For example, "Discrimination of any kind must be combated in all its forms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"The marketisation of education must be combated," he said.

The Guardian

That hatred is of course pernicious and it must be combated.

The Economist

There is no justification for terrorism against civilians ever, and it must be combated with all means necessary to protect innocent lives.

The New York Times

The appeals court ruling, which came into force in February after the school decided against further appeal, "won't solve the problem," she said, but does give legal force to arguments long made by Roma activists that discrimination exists, is illegal and must be combated.

The New York Times

They must be combated as such with all the resources of our government.

Huffington Post

We are continually threatened by an enemy which cannot be defeated on the battlefield alone, but must be combated in a contest of ideas.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The seizure of its Argentinean subsidiary is seen in Madrid (and other European capitals) as a major threat that must now be combated.

Huffington Post

The proposals that have been put forward on improving the exchange of information and strengthening operational cooperation are a step forward in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, but Europeans' feelings of insecurity, which we acknowledge, must above all be combated through an active policy of protecting and promoting fundamental rights.

EU Parlament

Then we must set about eradicating those conditions and injustices". The world has had repeated proof that terrorist actions cannot be combated by security measures alone.

The Guardian

I wondered how such an indifference could be combated.

The Guardian - Tech

Al Qaeda is an unacceptable, criminal organization that should be combated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be combated" to convey a strong sense of urgency and necessity in fighting against a specific issue. It is particularly effective when discussing societal problems or injustices that require immediate and decisive action.

Common error

While "must be combated" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in very casual or informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "must be stopped" or "needs to be addressed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "must be combated" is to express necessity and obligation in passive voice. It indicates that a particular action (combating) is required, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be combated" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the urgent need to fight against or oppose something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating common usage in news, science, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's best to avoid it in casual conversations, opting instead for simpler alternatives such as "needs to be stopped" or "should be addressed". Remember to use "must be combated" when you want to emphasize the importance and necessity of taking action against a significant issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be fought

Replaces "combated" with a more direct term, "fought", implying a more active opposition.

must be confronted

Suggests a direct and bold approach to deal with something.

must be tackled

Indicates the need to address and resolve a problem or issue.

must be addressed

Suggests the need to deal with something in a thoughtful way.

must be opposed

Emphasizes the need to resist or act against something.

must be countered

Implies the need to neutralize or offset something.

must be resisted

Focuses on actively preventing something from succeeding.

must be prevented

Highlights the need to stop something from happening.

must be eradicated

Indicates the need to completely eliminate something.

must be suppressed

Emphasizes the need to forcefully subdue or restrain something.

FAQs

What does "must be combated" mean?

The phrase "must be combated" signifies that something needs to be actively fought against or opposed with considerable effort and determination.

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

Use "must be combated" when you want to emphasize the urgent need to fight against something, such as injustice or a harmful trend. For example, "Discrimination must be combated in all its forms."

What can I say instead of "must be combated"?

You can use alternatives like "must be fought", "must be tackled", or "must be addressed" depending on the context.

Is "must be combated" formal or informal?

"Must be combated" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using more straightforward phrases such as "needs to be stopped" or "has to be fixed".