must be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something must be completed. For example: "The project must be finished by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Each film must be finished by the spectators," he said.

The New York Times

At the end of two hours it must be finished".

The Guardian - Money

The results nationwide must be finished by Dec. 31.

The New York Times

The work must be finished in 2 weeks.

The New Yorker

A final plan to deliver on those promises must be finished soon.

The Economist

Before that can happen, of course, the film must be finished, and then seen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

NEVER mind that some details must still be finished.

The New York Times

What must first be finished before you can start your new lives together?

WikiHow

Yet Obama also declared that this tumultuous past was not an occasion for despair; rather, he said, it should inspire Americans to renew a joint pilgrimage that would never be finished but must always be carried forward as each generation adapts to new challenges, whether on the economy or identity.

Huffington Post

In writing the Theology Proclus heavily depends on his interpretation of the Parmenides and often refers to his commentary on this dialogue, which must have been finished some time before.

SEP

Previous adjuvant chemotherapy must have been finished at least 6 months before enrolment in the study.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be finished" when emphasizing a strict deadline or a non-negotiable requirement for completion. For example: "The report must be finished by Friday."

Common error

Avoid using "must be finished" in very casual conversation; opt for more relaxed alternatives like "needs to be done" or "has to be completed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be finished" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing obligation or necessity combined with the passive voice, indicating that an action needs to be completed. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be finished" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong obligation or necessity for completion. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal and professional contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Business. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when emphasizing a strict deadline or requirement and to avoid overusing it in informal conversation. Remember that alternatives like "needs to be done" or "has to be completed" can offer a more casual tone. Considering all contexts, "must be finished" is a reliable and effective phrase for conveying mandatory completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be completed

Replaces "must" with "has to", conveying the same sense of obligation.

needs to be done

Uses "needs to be" instead of "must be", indicating requirement.

is required to be completed

Emphasizes the requirement of completion with a more formal tone.

is essential to finish

Highlights the essential nature of finishing something.

should be finalized

Suggests a recommendation that something is concluded.

ought to be completed

Uses "ought to be" instead of "must be", conveying a sense of moral obligation or advisability.

is imperative to conclude

Emphasizes the urgency of concluding something.

is bound to be done

Implies a certainty that something will be completed.

is slated for completion

Indicates that something is planned to be completed.

is scheduled to conclude

States that something is scheduled to be finished.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be finished" to indicate a mandatory completion, such as, "The project "must be finished" by the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "must be finished"?

Alternatives include "needs to be done", "has to be completed", or "is required to be completed", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

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

"Must be finished" indicates a strong obligation, while "should be finished" suggests a recommendation or expectation but with less force. Use "must" when the completion is non-negotiable.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "must be finished"?

It's best used in formal or professional contexts where deadlines or requirements are strict, such as in project management, academic assignments, or legal agreements.