must be of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'must be of' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate the required quality or characteristic associated with something. For example, "All participants must be of sound mental and physical health in order to take part in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answer must be, "Of course".

The New York Times

You must be of every age.

The New Yorker

How sick she must be of such contrasts.

The Guardian - Books

And the materials used must be of satisfactory quality.

The Guardian - Money

Both must be of good quality, by the way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All goods must be of satisfactory quality and be safe.

The Guardian - Money

Its symbols must be of my own creating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Milk for cheese making must be of the highest quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Somewhat false: the replay trigger must be of the more severe flagrant-2 variety).

The New York Times - Sports

"They must be of a well-directed, targeted nature," Mr. Putin said.

The New York Times

This was linked to Hoyle's belief that life must be of frequent occurrence in the universe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be of", ensure that the quality or characteristic you are describing is clearly and specifically defined. For example, instead of saying "the materials must be of good quality", specify "the materials "must be of" a grade A standard."

Common error

Avoid using "must be of" with vague or subjective terms. Instead of saying "the design "must be of" high quality", quantify the requirements: "the design "must be of" a resolution of 300 DPI".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be of" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express necessity or requirement regarding a specific quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable. It is used to specify a condition that something needs to meet.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be of" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a requirement or necessity concerning a specific quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in neutral to slightly formal contexts, such as news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. When using "must be of", ensure that you clearly define the required quality to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "is required to be" or "needs to be" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to be

Emphasizes obligation or necessity more directly.

has to be

Similar to "must be", but can sometimes imply external imposition.

needs to be

A more informal way of expressing necessity or requirement.

is essential to be

Highlights the crucial or indispensable nature of something.

is necessary to be

States the condition as a prerequisite.

should be

Indicates a recommendation or expectation rather than a strict requirement.

is imperative to be

Emphasizes the urgency or critical importance.

is obliged to be

Highlights a formal obligation or duty.

is bound to be

Implies a natural or logical consequence, often with a sense of certainty.

is designated as

Focuses on the assigned or prescribed nature of something.

FAQs

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

Use "must be of" to express a requirement or necessity concerning a specific quality or characteristic. For example, "All participants "must be of" legal age" or "The evidence "must be of" significant importance".

What phrases are similar to "must be of"?

Alternatives include "is required to be", "needs to be", or "has to be", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "must be of" formal or informal?

"Must be of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal options include phrases like "needs to be" or "has to be". The best choice depends on the specific context and audience.

Which is correct, "must be of" or "should be of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Must be of" indicates a requirement or necessity, while "should be of" indicates a recommendation or expectation.