must be overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "must be overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an obstacle that must be confronted or dealt with, or to emphasize an action that needs to take place. For example: "The fear of failure must be overcome if we are to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But numerous obstacles must be overcome.

The New York Times

The domineering relative who must be overcome is a book.

The Guardian - Books

"The bureaucratic obstacles and legal problems must be overcome.

The New York Times

But several obstacles must be overcome by spring.

The New York Times

For a blossoming to occur, travails must be overcome.

The New York Times

To do so, multiple challenges must be overcome.

The New York Times

"In any transition period, confusion must be overcome.

The New York Times

These two regulatory hurdles must be overcome, and for the sake of the shipping industry – and the planet – they must be overcome fast.

Independent

"But these make no demographic sense and must be overcome as we become an older society".

The New York Times

"Nature is hard to be overcome," Thoreau concluded, "but she must be overcome".

The New Yorker

For that to happen, many hurdles must be overcome, including, for Mr. Metcalfe, a personal one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if "must be overcome" feels too strong. Phrases like "needs to be addressed" or "should be tackled" can convey a similar meaning with a slightly softer tone.

Common error

While "must be overcome" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "must be addressed", "needs to be resolved", or "has to be conquered" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be overcome" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating necessity. It highlights an obstacle or challenge that requires resolution for progress or success, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be overcome" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the necessity of resolving challenges or obstacles. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase carries a neutral to professional register. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While powerful, it's essential to use it judiciously and consider synonyms like "must be addressed" or "needs to be resolved" to avoid repetition. Recognizing common errors, like overuse, and adopting best practices ensures effective and varied communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be surmounted

Emphasizes a higher level of difficulty or scale compared to simply overcoming.

must be tackled

Suggests a direct and active approach to dealing with the obstacle.

must be addressed

Focuses on the need to give attention to and deal with a problem.

needs to be resolved

Highlights the necessity of finding a solution to the problem.

has to be conquered

Implies a more forceful or determined effort to overcome the challenge.

demands resolution

Stresses the urgency and importance of finding a solution.

requires attention

Indicates the need for focused effort and care to handle the situation.

cannot be ignored

Highlights the importance of addressing the issue without delay.

is imperative to solve

Emphasizes the critical nature of finding a solution.

is essential to address

Highlights the fundamental necessity of dealing with a particular issue.

FAQs

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

Use "must be overcome" to indicate that a challenge or obstacle needs to be addressed to achieve a goal. For example: "The language barrier must be overcome to facilitate effective communication."

What are some alternatives to "must be overcome"?

You can use alternatives like "must be surmounted", "must be tackled", or "must be addressed" to convey similar meanings.

Is "must be overcome" formal or informal?

"Must be overcome" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

When is it better to use "needs to be addressed" instead of "must be overcome"?

"Needs to be addressed" is a softer, less forceful alternative to "must be overcome". Use "needs to be addressed" when you want to highlight the importance of addressing an issue without necessarily conveying a sense of urgency or difficulty. If you want to show urgency and great difficulty, then use "must be overcome".