must be diligent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be diligent" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express the expectation or requirement for someone to work hard, consistently, and with attention to detail. Example: "In order to be successful in this career, one must be diligent in their studies and continuously strive to improve their skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But you must be diligent and never lose hope.

The Washington Post

The preserves cook in about 40 minutes, during which time you must be diligent.

The New York Times - Food

And as the competitive landscape changes, managers must be diligent about reevaluating their positioning.

Harvard Business Review

Social purpose natives like these must be diligent stewards of their brands.

Harvard Business Review

Progressives must be diligent to ensure that the enduring narrative of Clinton's failure does not centre on her gender.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And we must be diligent in holding on to the way of life that makes our society so unique.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

A sign at the entrance said, in Chinese, "We Need Not Only to Work Hard, We Must Also Be Diligent, and More Important We Must Have a Sense of a National Mission".

The New Yorker

He must also be diligent.

The New York Times - Sports

They must then be diligent about reevaluating that positioning as the competitive landscape changes.

Harvard Business Review

We must always be diligent about our asset allocation and the rebalancing process.

Huffington Post

All of that is true, which means we must always be diligent and fight against government excess.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be diligent", ensure that the context clearly indicates what area the diligence should be applied to. For example, "One must be diligent in their research" is clearer than simply "One must be diligent."

Common error

Avoid using "must be diligent" in overly casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or even condescending. Opt for simpler, more direct language unless a formal tone is genuinely intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be diligent" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing obligation or necessity. It indicates that being diligent is required or highly advisable in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

9%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be diligent" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the necessity of careful, consistent effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Primarily found in news, scientific and academic contexts, it conveys obligation or strong advice. While generally neutral to formal, it's advisable to avoid overuse in informal settings. Related phrases include "should be conscientious" and "need to be meticulous".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be conscientious

Replaces "must" with "should", softening the obligation while maintaining the emphasis on carefulness.

need to be meticulous

Substitutes "diligent" with "meticulous", highlighting the need for precision and thoroughness.

have to be assiduous

Replaces "must" with "have to", keeping the obligation and "diligent" with "assiduous" emphasizing persistent effort.

ought to be thorough

Uses "ought to" instead of "must", indicating a moral obligation, and replaces "diligent" with "thorough", focusing on completeness.

are required to be attentive

Replaces "must" with "are required to", formalizing the obligation, and substitutes "diligent" with "attentive", emphasizing focus.

must be vigilant

Substitutes "diligent" with "vigilant", emphasizing watchfulness and alertness.

should exercise due care

Replaces the phrase with a more formal expression indicating that caution and attention are needed.

are expected to be painstaking

Replaces "must" with "are expected to", softening the obligation, and substitutes "diligent" with "painstaking", highlighting the effort required.

need to apply oneself consistently

Shifts the focus to consistent application of effort, rather than a general state of diligence.

must maintain a steady focus

Emphasizes the importance of sustained concentration and effort.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be diligent" is used to emphasize the necessity of being careful and thorough in one's work or actions. For example, "Students "must be diligent" in their studies to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "must be diligent"?

You can use alternatives like "should be conscientious", "need to be meticulous", or "have to be assiduous" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "must be diligent" formal or informal?

The phrase "must be diligent" tends to be more formal. Simpler expressions may be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What does it mean to say someone "must be diligent"?

To say someone "must be diligent" means they need to be consistently hardworking, careful, and thorough in their actions and responsibilities. It implies a strong need for attention to detail and dedication.