must be occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a space or position is currently in use or filled by someone or something. Example: "The conference room must be occupied during the meeting, so please find another place to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Renters aren't allowed in the program, and the homes must be occupied by the owner.

The New York Times

The properties must be occupied by the owners and cannot be used as investments.

The New York Times

If the attached substituents bear aromatic rings, then their ortho positions must be occupied by other protecting groups.

Chemical Physics Letters

Jodl was present on 18th March when Hitler told Raeder all Greece must be occupied before any settlement could be reached.

Yale University

"The rule provides that a certain ratio of units within a condominium must be occupied by their owners," Mr. Sherman said, adding that this was mainly because "investor-owned units tend to result in higher rates of foreclosure".

The New York Times

(Under the program, the units must be occupied by owners who meet the income requirements). Buyers will also join the homeowners' association and pay a $59 monthly fee to take care of common areas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

We discuss the role of a retail business these days and whether the sole purpose is to deliver shareholder value, something which I venture must be occupying the minds of many retail chief executives just now.

Forbes

This difficulty can be overcome if we think of the receptacle as filled space.[16] As space, its role is to provide both three-dimensional extension and a specific location for any observable particular to be "in" at a given time: for any particular to be, it must be occupy some spatial location (52b3 5), though not necessarily the same one throughout.

SEP

The property must also be occupied as a primary residence.

The New York Times

Instead, the Cdc12 pocket must not be occupied by a nucleoside triphosphate, i.e., GTP or CTP.

Genetics

Thus, 14 monoanionic ligands are necessary to balance the charges of the Ln2Ti4O4 core, and 28 coordination sites must still be occupied.

European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be occupied" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly establishes the reason why the occupancy is necessary or obligatory. This adds precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "must be occupied" in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "is in use" or "is taken" would sound more natural. Formal language can sometimes seem stilted in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be occupied" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase expressing necessity or obligation for a subject to be in a state of being filled or inhabited. It’s used to convey a mandatory requirement, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples, where positions, spaces, or roles need to be filled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be occupied" is a passive verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for something to be filled or inhabited. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While versatile, it leans towards formal and technical registers, making it suitable for formal writing, legal documents, or precise instructions. For more casual communication, simpler alternatives like "is in use" or "is taken" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be filled

Emphasizes obligation for something to be filled.

needs to be taken

Highlights the necessity of occupation or possession.

is required to be inhabited

Stresses the mandatory nature of being lived in.

is essential to be tenanted

Focuses on the vital aspect of having a tenant.

should be inhabited

Suggests a recommendation or expectation that it is lived in.

ought to be filled

Implies a moral or practical obligation to be filled.

is mandated to be filled

Highlights a legal or formal requirement to be filled.

is compelled to be inhabited

Emphasizes that it is forced or obliged to be lived in.

is obliged to be inhabited

Focuses on a duty or responsibility to be lived in.

has a requirement to be filled

Highlights the condition or stipulation to be filled.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be occupied" is used to indicate that a space, position, or role is required to be filled or currently in use. For example, "All seats during the performance must be occupied" or "The position of the director must be occupied by a qualified individual".

What are some alternatives to "must be occupied"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has to be filled", "needs to be taken", or "is required to be inhabited".

Is it correct to say "should be occupied" instead of "must be occupied"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "must be occupied" indicates a stronger obligation or necessity than "should be occupied". "Should" suggests a recommendation, whereas "must" implies a requirement.

When is it appropriate to use "must be occupied" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "must be occupied" in formal writing, legal documents, or instructions where emphasizing the necessity of filling a space, position, or role is important. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "is in use" or "is taken" may be more suitable.