must be covered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be covered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is required to be concealed or protected, often in the context of rules, guidelines, or safety measures. Example: "All electrical outlets in the children's play area must be covered to ensure safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fixed costs must be covered.

The New York Times - Books

Their heads and bodies must be covered.

The New York Times - Books

And a tour must be covered.

The Guardian - Sport

And: "If he makes mistakes, they must be covered.

The New York Times

But rules are rules: men's heads must be covered.

The Guardian - Travel

That the war must be covered is hardly in dispute.

The New York Times

All the pasta must be covered with water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Must be covered in end-of-term doodles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each of the five senses must be covered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The health law creates new requirements for the benefits that must be covered.

The Economist

They weren't on the list, so they must be covered, right?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be covered" in safety guidelines, be specific about what needs covering and why. Clarity prevents misunderstandings and ensures compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "must be covered" in casual conversation; it sounds overly formal. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "needs to be" or "should be."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be covered" primarily functions as a passive construction expressing obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to convey that something is required to be concealed, protected, or included. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from financial obligations to safety regulations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be covered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and formal documents. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation and choose alternative phrasings for casual settings. With strong representation across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, "must be covered" remains a robust and reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be concealed

Replaces 'must' with 'has to', emphasizing obligation, and uses 'concealed' to focus on hiding.

has to be included

Changes to 'has to be included', focusing on the necessity of including something.

needs to be protected

Substitutes 'must' with 'needs to', indicating a requirement, and uses 'protected' to highlight safeguarding.

is required to be shielded

Uses 'is required' for formality and 'shielded' to specify a type of protection.

is imperative to safeguard

Highlights the urgency and importance of safeguarding something.

should be concealed

Replaces 'must' with 'should', softening the obligation to a recommendation, and uses 'concealed'.

needs to be addressed

Shifts the focus to addressing or dealing with a topic or issue.

is essential to include

Shifts focus to inclusion as a necessity, using 'essential' for emphasis.

should be addressed

Softens the obligation to a suggestion that something be addressed.

is mandatory to encompass

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of including something comprehensively.

FAQs

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

Use "must be covered" to indicate a requirement or obligation for something to be shielded or included, as in, "All financial losses "must be covered" by the insurance policy."

What are some alternatives to "must be covered"?

Alternatives include "has to be concealed", "needs to be protected", or "is required to be shielded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "must be covered" or "should be covered"?

"Must be covered" indicates a stricter requirement than "should be covered". Use "must" when there is a firm obligation and "should" when it's a recommendation.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "must be covered"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts such as legal documents, safety manuals, or official guidelines where clear obligations are being defined. In informal settings, less forceful phrasing might be more suitable.