must be documented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be documented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is required to be recorded or noted down for reference or compliance purposes. Example: "All changes to the project plan must be documented to ensure transparency and accountability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But that information must be documented.

The Washington Post

ISP billing practices must be documented.

Yale University

Mr. Miranda said that drills must be documented.

The New York Times

Comorbidities, allergies, and pharmacologic history must be documented.

The Vein Book

The date every dose was given must be documented.

The New York Times

The horror of the struggle must be documented and explained.

The New York Times

The authorization must be documented in the award file.

Yale University

Law must be documented, printed, distributed, indexed, and structured.

Cornell University

They are 17 and 18 and even criminality must be documented through social media.

The Guardian - Film

Supervisors already record negative incidents concerning line employees because warnings and disciplinary steps must be documented.

Harvard Business Review

Every step must be documented, dated, and approved following a preset hierarchy.

Food Process Engineering and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be documented" in formal writing, ensure the documentation process is clearly defined and accessible for future reference.

Common error

Avoid using "must be documented" without specifying what aspects or elements require recording. Provide clear guidelines on what the documentation should include to ensure completeness and usability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be documented" functions as a passive voice construction expressing a mandatory action. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Its primary function is to denote a requirement for recording or registering specific information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be documented" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the necessity of recording information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's prevalent in formal contexts such as academia, science, and news reporting. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specificity in what needs to be documented to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "needs to be recorded" or "requires documentation" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be recorded

Replaces "must" with "needs", indicating a requirement but potentially with slightly less force.

has to be documented

Replaces "must" with "has to", conveying a similar sense of obligation in a slightly more colloquial way.

is required to be documented

Rephrases the necessity using a more formal and explicit structure.

requires documentation

Changes the structure to emphasize the need for documentation as a whole.

should be recorded

Substitutes "must" with "should", suggesting a recommendation rather than a strict obligation.

calls for documentation

Replaces "must" with "calls for", which emphasizes a formal requirement.

is essential to document

Shifts the focus to the act of documenting, emphasizing its importance.

mandates formal recording

Uses "mandates" to stress the authoritative requirement for recording.

demands written record

Highlights the need for a written record, emphasizing the format.

is imperative to record

Uses "imperative" to underscore the critical nature of the documentation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must be documented" in an email?

You can use phrases like "needs to be recorded", "should be recorded", or "requires documentation depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

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

"Must be documented" indicates a strict requirement or obligation, while "should be documented" suggests a recommendation or best practice that is not necessarily mandatory.

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

It's appropriate to use "must be documented" in situations where there's a legal, regulatory, or procedural requirement to keep a record of something, such as in legal contracts, scientific research, or financial transactions.

What details should be included when something "must be documented"?

When something "must be documented", include all relevant details such as the date, time, involved parties, specific actions taken, and the rationale behind those actions. Ensure the documentation is clear, accurate, and easily accessible.