must be distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be distributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is required to be shared or allocated among a group or individuals. Example: "The resources must be distributed evenly among all team members to ensure fairness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The distribution must also meet the definition of a "lump sum distribution," meaning the entire account balance must be distributed to the individual within a single year.

Forbes

The act of invention must be distributed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Land must be distributed to peasants and farmers.

The New York Times

Fertilizers are made centrally but must be distributed over a large agricultural area.

Britannica

Individuals must be distributed among occupations in such a way as to serve two basic purposes.

Britannica

Subgrid kinetic energy must be distributed unequally among the normal stresses on an anisotropic mesh.

Journal of Computational Physics

Copies of these certificates must be distributed to all the parties concerned.

Commercial Ship Surveying On-Off-Hire Condition Surveys and Bunker Surveys

The proposal must be distributed to the examining committee one week before the scheduled exam.

Columbia University

The five half-courses must be distributed across at least two different disciplines or departments.

Harvard University

For a company to operate efficiently and maximize value, free cash flow must be distributed to shareholders rather than retained.

Harvard Business Review

However to be effective, the oil must be distributed out away from the oil injection points without excessive permeability loss.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be distributed", ensure the context clearly specifies the entity responsible for the distribution and the intended recipients. Clarity prevents ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

While "must be distributed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem weak or unclear. Whenever possible, rephrase to use active voice, specifying who is doing the distributing. For example, instead of "The funds must be distributed by the end of the year", consider "The finance department must distribute the funds by the end of the year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be distributed" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a mandatory action to allocate or disseminate something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

27%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be distributed" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the necessity of allocation or dissemination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though its formality leans towards neutral to professional settings. While common, writers should be mindful of avoiding passive voice overuse and clearly specifying the agent and recipients involved. Its wide use across Science, News & Media and Academia, reinforces its importance for clear and precise communication. When other options are suitable always consider alternatives like "needs to be allocated", "should be shared" and "has to be disseminated". Using "must be distributed" correctly enhances the clarity and authority of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be allocated

Emphasizes the necessity of assigning or allotting something for a specific purpose.

is to be allocated

Indicates a planned or predetermined assignment of resources.

should be allocated

Suggests a recommendation or advisability for resources to be assigned.

should be shared

Suggests a recommendation or advisability for something to be divided among multiple recipients.

must be divided

Stresses the obligation to separate something into parts.

has to be disseminated

Highlights the requirement of spreading information or resources widely.

must be disseminated

Emphasizes the necessity of spreading information widely.

is required to be apportioned

Focuses on the obligation to divide something proportionally.

needs to be spread

Emphasizes the requirement for something to be diffused across an area or group.

ought to be divided

Implies a moral or practical obligation to split something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must be distributed" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions such as "needs allocation", "should share", or "has to disseminate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "must be distributed" and "should be distributed"?

"Must be distributed" implies a strict requirement or obligation, whereas "should be distributed" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The choice depends on whether there is a mandatory element involved.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "must be distributed"?

The phrase "must be distributed" is appropriate in formal contexts such as legal documents, academic papers, and business reports, where clarity and precision are essential. You may also encounter the phrase in news articles or encyclopedias.

What are some alternatives to "must be distributed" that maintain a similar level of formality?

Alternatives include "is required to be apportioned", "is to be allocated", or "must be disseminated". These options offer similar levels of formality while varying slightly in emphasis.