must be handed

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be handed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something must be done or handled in a particular manner. For example, "All assignments in this course must be handed in on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, crosslinked substrate must be handed directly from SspB to ClpX.

Molecular Cell

Remember that your final thesis grade must be handed in with your thesis.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The prisoners must be handed over to the Afghan authorities," he said.

Independent

Children found to be illegally employed at Apple factories must be handed back to their families.

The Guardian - Tech

She cannot sell them and they must be handed on to her successor.

The Guardian

At a minimum, information about heritage and any genetic diseases and disorders must be handed over.

The Guardian

It must be handed down to the next generation in fruitful forms.

The New Yorker

By law, anything worth more than $20 must be handed over to the park police, though not everyone does so.

The New York Times

After evaluation an equivalent certificate must be handed out and if possible allow them to attend campus interviews.

University of California, Berkeley

The latest court ruling means they must be handed to the DA in the next five days.

The Guardian

He says he has no bank account or credit card or Web site; he must be handed the money in cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be handed", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for handing something over and to whom. For example, "The evidence must be handed to the authorities immediately."

Common error

Avoid using "must be handed" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. Instead of "The report must be handed in by the intern", consider "The intern must hand in the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be handed" functions primarily as a passive voice construction indicating obligation or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It emphasizes the action of transferring something rather than the actor performing the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be handed" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction used to express the obligation or necessity of transferring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a very common phrase found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, consider whether an active voice construction might be clearer and ensure the context specifies who is responsible for the transfer. Alternatives include phrases like "is required to be submitted" or "needs to be transferred", depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be turned over

Implies a formal transfer of control or possession, often in legal or official contexts.

is required to be submitted

Emphasizes a formal requirement for submission, changing the verb and adding a sense of obligation.

is obligated to be delivered

Highlights the obligation for delivery, adding a stronger sense of duty.

needs to be transferred

Focuses on the action of transferring something, suitable when the emphasis is on the movement.

needs to be provided

Emphasizes the necessity of making something available.

is compelled to be given

Indicates a strong compulsion or force behind the action of giving.

has to be conveyed

Focuses on the act of conveying information or an object, suitable when clear communication is important.

is essential to relinquish

Highlights the essential nature of giving something up, focusing on the act of relinquishment.

should be passed on

Implies a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict requirement, focusing on continuity.

should be presented

Implies a formal or deliberate act of offering or displaying something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be handed" indicates an obligation to transfer something. For example, "All classified documents "must be handed" to the supervisor" or "The suspect "must be handed" over to the authorities".

What are some alternatives to "must be handed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is required to be submitted", "needs to be transferred", or "should be passed on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice construction "must be handed"?

Passive voice is suitable when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The package "must be handed" directly to the recipient for security reasons."

What's the difference between "must be handed" and "must hand over"?

"Must be handed" is passive, focusing on the object being transferred, while "must hand over" is active, focusing on the person doing the transferring. "The evidence "must be handed" to the police" (passive) versus "The suspect "must hand over" the evidence" (active).