must be prevented

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be prevented" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of a situation or to express that an event or action should not take place. For example, "The spread of this disease must be prevented at all costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said this must be prevented.

The Washington Post

Such repressive rule must be prevented.

Stanford University

The BBC must be prevented from broadcasting this series.

The Guardian - Books

I get that deaths at sea must be prevented.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two-state solution must be prevented at all costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is a tragedy that must be prevented.

The Guardian - Opinion

Former paramilitaries must be prevented from taking up arms again.

The Economist

Overheating of the solid catalyst particles must be prevented through effective particle liquid heat transfer.

Chemical Engineering Science

"These kind of clampdowns which we have seen in China must be prevented.

The Guardian

But there is a "looming threat" of drug resistance, which must be prevented.

The Guardian

• Civilian contractors must be prevented from being involved in the process of interrogation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be prevented" to express a strong obligation or necessity to stop something from happening. It's particularly effective in formal writing and when emphasizing the importance of preventative measures.

Common error

While "must be prevented" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider alternatives like "needs to be stopped" or "should be avoided" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be prevented" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong necessity or obligation to hinder something from occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show its use across different domains, reinforcing its function as a directive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be prevented" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey a strong necessity to stop something from happening. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a variety of contexts. While generally neutral to formal, it finds prominence in news, scientific, and business domains. For more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "should be avoided". Its effectiveness lies in its ability to emphasize the importance of preventative measures. The phrase appears most often in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be averted

Replaces "must" with "should", indicating a slightly weaker obligation.

needs to be stopped

Substitutes "must be" with "needs to be", and "prevented" with "stopped" for a more direct expression.

has to be avoided

Replaces "must be" with "has to be" and "prevented" with "avoided", conveying a sense of necessity.

is imperative to stop

Uses "is imperative to" instead of "must be", emphasizing the urgency and necessity of stopping something.

is crucial to avert

Emphasizes the importance of averting something by using "is crucial to" instead of "must be prevented".

cannot be allowed

Replaces "must be prevented" with "cannot be allowed", highlighting the unacceptability of something happening.

it is vital to prevent

Highlights the vitality of the act of preventing something, using a more descriptive structure.

demands to be stopped

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of stopping something by using "demands to be stopped" instead of "must be prevented".

requires preclusion

A more formal alternative, using "requires preclusion" to convey the need for prevention.

calls for prevention

Uses a different verb structure, focusing on the act of prevention being called for.

FAQs

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

Use "must be prevented" to indicate a strong necessity to stop something from happening. For example, "The spread of misinformation "must be prevented" to ensure informed decision-making."

What are some alternatives to "must be prevented"?

Alternatives include "should be avoided", "needs to be stopped", or "has to be prevented", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "must be prevented" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, "must be prevented" can sound overly formal in casual writing. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "needs to be stopped" or "should be avoided" in informal contexts.

Which is correct, "must be prevented" or "has to be prevented"?

Both "must be prevented" and "has to be prevented" are grammatically correct, but "must be prevented" generally carries a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.