must be fed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be fed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone requires food or nourishment. Example: "The stray cat outside must be fed daily to ensure its health and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meters must be fed all week.

The New York Times

The Deal Machine must be fed.

The New York Times

"You must be fed up of them," he says.

The Guardian - Books

This knowledge must be fed into comprehensive urban planning processes.

The Guardian

Heathrow is a monster that must be fed".

The Guardian

They are troublesome to guard and must be fed.

The New York Times

Bad day, good day, it doesn't matter; the penguins must be fed.

The New York Times

The mourners must be fed, the food cooked, and firewood gathered.

The Guardian

She compares such behaviour unfavourably with the Jewish imperative: "all visitors must be fed".

The Guardian - Books

You make babies, the babies come, the babies must be fed.

The New Yorker

The fetus is a monster that gestates rapidly and must be fed with human blood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts that need continuous input to function, consider using "must be fed" to emphasize their ongoing requirement for resources. For example, "the algorithm must be fed with data."

Common error

While "must be fed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem weak. Consider rephrasing to active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "the data must be fed into the system", try "the system requires data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be fed" functions as a passive construction indicating obligation. It expresses that someone or something is required to receive food or sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be fed" is a grammatically correct passive construction indicating a requirement to provide food or nourishment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's highly versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from News & Media to Science. While perfectly valid, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more direct style. Related phrases like "needs nourishment" or "requires sustenance" offer similar meanings. The frequency of "must be fed" across authoritative sources highlights its widespread use in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be nourished

Emphasizes the obligation to provide nourishment.

needs nourishment

Focuses specifically on the need for nutrients.

must receive nourishment

Similar meaning but uses a different verb.

requires sustenance

A more formal way of saying 'needs food'.

is essential to nourish

Emphasizes the crucial importance of providing sustenance.

is required to eat

Highlights the requirement of the act of eating.

necessitates feeding

Highlights that a particular situation makes feeding necessary.

demands to be fed

Indicates an insistent need for feeding.

should be provided with food

Suggests a recommendation or guideline about providing food.

is obligatory to feed

Stresses the mandatory nature of feeding.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be fed" to indicate that something or someone requires food or nourishment. For instance, "The stray cat outside "must be fed" daily to ensure its health." It can also be used metaphorically, like "The algorithm "must be fed" with data to generate accurate results."

What can I say instead of "must be fed"?

You can use alternatives like "needs nourishment", "requires sustenance", or "has to be nourished", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "must be fed" or "needs to feed"?

"Must be fed" indicates that something requires feeding, whereas "needs to feed" indicates that something needs to perform the action of feeding someone or something else. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "must be fed" and "should be fed"?

"Must be fed" implies a necessity or obligation, whereas "should be fed" suggests a recommendation or advisability. "Must" indicates a stronger requirement than "should".