must be maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the necessity of keeping something in a certain condition or standard. Example: "For the safety of all employees, the equipment must be maintained regularly to ensure optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Standards must be maintained.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the right speed must be maintained.

The New Yorker

Perceptions, after all, must be maintained.

The New York Times

"The SCE must be maintained," he said.

The Guardian

Specified production rates must be maintained.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

River cleanliness must be maintained and preserved.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Product quality specifications must be maintained.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

A 3.5 GPA must be maintained.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All page margin requirements must be maintained.

Cornell University

New York's vibrancy, unique among American cities, must be maintained.

The New York Times

But an air of professionalism must be maintained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "must be maintained" in a single document. Vary your language with synonyms like "should be preserved" or "needs to be upheld" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "must be maintained" without specifying the object. Instead of saying "Standards must be maintained", clarify with "Safety standards must be maintained to prevent accidents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be maintained" functions as a passive construction indicating a necessity or obligation to keep something in a particular condition. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's used across various contexts to emphasize the importance of preserving or upholding certain standards, qualities, or procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be maintained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that conveys a strong sense of obligation or necessity. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal and authoritative tone. While it's generally acceptable in various writing styles, being mindful of the specific object and context will prevent vagueness. Consider related phrases such as "needs to be upheld" or "has to be preserved" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be upheld

Uses 'needs' to soften the tone of obligation compared to 'must'.

has to be preserved

Emphasizes preservation as the necessary action.

should be sustained

Suggests a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

requires safeguarding

Focuses on the act of protecting something that is vital.

demands preservation

Highlights the importance and urgency of preservation.

necessitates upkeep

Indicates that upkeep is essential to maintain something.

is essential to preserve

Uses 'essential' to underscore the importance of preservation.

is vital to conserve

Emphasizes conservation as a critical action.

it's important to retain

Shifts focus to the importance of keeping something as it is.

it is crucial to safeguard

Replaces 'must' with 'crucial' to highlight the critical nature of safeguarding.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be maintained" to emphasize the necessity of keeping something in a specific condition. For example: "For the safety of all employees, the equipment must be maintained regularly to ensure optimal performance."

What are some alternatives to "must be maintained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "needs to be upheld", "has to be preserved", or "should be sustained".

Is it too formal to use "must be maintained" in everyday conversation?

While "must be maintained" isn't overly formal, it's more common in professional or official contexts. In casual conversation, phrases like "needs to be kept up" or "has to be looked after" might sound more natural.

When is it appropriate to use "must be maintained" over "should be maintained"?

"Must be maintained" implies a stricter requirement than "should be maintained". Use "must" when there are serious consequences for not maintaining something, whereas "should" suggests a recommendation.