must be contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something needs to be held within certain limits or boundaries. Example: "All hazardous materials must be contained within designated storage areas to ensure safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Abelard argued for a containment theory of conditionals the sense of the consequent must be contained in the sense of the antecedent.

SEP

Europe's crisis must be contained.

The New York Times

"The trend is unacceptable and must be contained".

The New York Times

Your Submission must be contained in the body of the email, not in an attachment.

The Guardian - Travel

But Mattis and McMaster argue that Kim Jong Un must be contained.

The New Yorker

"Popular expressions such as these are welcome, but the authorities must be contained in their responses".

The New Yorker

"As we get nearer to implementing the reconciliation, these problems must be contained," he added.

The New York Times

There is no question but that world population must be contained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The epidemic must be contained, and relief organizations need to learn from this flawed effort.

The New York Times

Both Democrats and Republicans agree that Medicare spending must be contained.

The Economist

During his 2000 campaign, Mr. Bush described Beijing as a "strategic competitor" whose ambitions for global influence must be contained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be contained", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being contained and the reason for the containment. For example, "Radioactive waste must be contained to prevent environmental contamination".

Common error

Avoid using "must be contained" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "needs to be kept in" or "should stay within" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be contained" functions as a passive construction, indicating a requirement or necessity for something to be kept within certain limits or boundaries. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be contained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies a strong requirement for restriction or control, often employed in formal and scientific contexts, as shown through many examples. While highly suitable for professional and academic writing, it may sound overly formal in casual settings. Alternatives like ""needs to be restricted"" or ""has to be controlled"" can provide similar meaning with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be restricted

Emphasizes limiting the scope or influence of something.

has to be controlled

Highlights the necessity of managing or regulating something.

should be limited

Suggests a recommendation to reduce the extent or degree of something.

is required to be confined

Focuses on keeping something within specific boundaries.

ought to be curbed

Implies restraining or checking an undesirable activity or phenomenon.

should be checked

Emphasizes the monitoring or verification aspect of controlling something.

needs to be suppressed

Focuses on forcefully preventing something from developing or being expressed.

has to be restrained

Implies holding something back or preventing it from exceeding certain limits.

is necessary to be regulated

Focuses on the process of governing or directing something according to rules.

ought to be managed

Highlights the organizational and administrative aspects of control.

FAQs

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

Use "must be contained" to indicate a requirement for something to be kept within specific limits or boundaries. For example, "The information "must be contained" within the document".

What are some alternatives to "must be contained"?

Alternatives include "needs to be restricted", "has to be controlled", or "should be limited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "must be contained"?

"Must be contained" is appropriate in formal or technical contexts where a strong requirement for confinement or limitation is being expressed. It's often used in scientific, legal, or regulatory writing.

Is "must be contained" formal language?

Yes, "must be contained" is considered formal language. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "needs to stay inside" or "should be kept in" for a less formal tone.