must be explicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be explicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the need for clarity and detail in communication or instructions. Example: "In order to avoid misunderstandings, your requirements must be explicit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Industrial policymaking, therefore, must be explicit and public.

Harvard Business Review

Where consent is relied on, the consent must be explicit.

The Guardian

The customer and the provider must be explicit about their promise throughout its life cycle.

Harvard Business Review

"To be effective the Negro writer must be explicit; thus realistic; thus dramatic").

The New Yorker

In order to negotiate a mutually beneficial alliance, they must be explicit about their goals and expectations.

Harvard Business Review

The checklists specified a half-dozen or so aspects of any request or promise that must be explicit to both parties.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

According to the inferentialist view [7], the content of a concept must be expressed, becoming explicit, through the use of it (the concept) in inferences, as premises or conclusions of reasoning.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Usually, it is assumed that the model must be expressed in an explicit state-space form.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

You must also be explicit about the process of decision making.

Harvard Business Review

In the case of such communications from outside the unit, the approval must always be explicit.

Duke University

Our focus must be to be explicit about our expectations of services, making sure these are focused on what matters most to people using services and a sound evidence base.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be explicit", ensure that the context necessitates a high degree of clarity and leaves no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. It's particularly useful in legal, technical, or instructional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "must be explicit" in casual conversations or informal writing where a less formal expression of clarity would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be explicit" functions as a modal phrase that emphasizes the necessity of clarity and precision. It is used to convey a requirement for something to be clearly and openly stated, leaving no room for ambiguity. Ludwig AI provides examples where it's used in diverse contexts from agreements to scientific results.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be explicit" is a phrase used to emphasize the necessity of clarity and precision in communication. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, academia, and business, indicating its versatility and relevance across various domains. While "must be explicit" is generally appropriate for professional and formal settings, it should be used judiciously in casual conversation to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives such as "needs to be clear" or "should be detailed" can be considered for less formal contexts. The key takeaway is that "must be explicit" should be employed when clarity is paramount and there is a genuine need to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be clearly stated

Focuses on the act of stating something explicitly.

should be clearly defined

Emphasizes the importance of precise definition.

has to be unambiguously expressed

Highlights the need for unambiguous expression.

is required to be clearly articulated

Uses more formal language to express the need for clear articulation.

needs to be openly communicated

Shifts the focus to open communication.

ought to be plainly expressed

Suggests a straightforward expression.

should be unequivocally stated

Emphasizes a lack of doubt in the statement.

has to be manifestly declared

Focuses on the act of declaring something clearly and openly.

is imperative to be precisely specified

Highlights the urgency and need for precision.

should be definitively spelled out

Emphasizes the complete and unambiguous explanation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be explicit" emphasizes the need for clarity and detail. For example, "The instructions must be explicit to avoid errors" or "The terms of the contract must be explicit and understandable".

What are some alternatives to "must be explicit"?

You can use alternatives such as "needs to be clear", "should be detailed", or "has to be unambiguous" depending on the context.

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

It is appropriate to use "must be explicit" when conveying instructions, requirements, or expectations that require precision and leave no room for misinterpretation. This is common in legal documents, technical manuals, and formal communications.

Is there a difference between "must be explicit" and "should be explicit"?

While both phrases emphasize clarity, "must be explicit" conveys a stronger sense of necessity and obligation. "Should be explicit" suggests a recommendation, while "must be explicit" implies a requirement for clarity and precision.