must be real

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be real" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assumption about the authenticity or truth of something. Example: "The way she described her experience was so vivid that it must be real."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Realness: ρ[n, k] must be real.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This must be real.

The New York Times

This, Usl thought, must be real life.

The New Yorker

Real Madrid must be real rich.

The Guardian - Sport

"The response to these demands must be real and true.

The Guardian

But there must be real concerns for Kingfisher shareholders.

The Guardian - Business

There must be real results, not just words and declarations".

The New York Times

Because if it's important enough for me to take the bullet, it must be real important.

The New York Times

"These gains are not easily won and the progress must be real and sustained.

The Guardian - Sport

Whatever it is, it must be real change, based upon new paradigms.

The Guardian

"People believe, falsely, that what they see with their senses must be real," Mr. Randi said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be real", ensure that the context clearly implies a degree of certainty or strong belief about the authenticity or truth of something. Avoid using it when expressing mere possibility or speculation.

Common error

Avoid using "must be real" in situations where you are merely speculating or expressing a weak possibility. Phrases like "might be real" or "could be real" are more appropriate when there is less certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be real" functions as an assertion of authenticity or truth. It typically follows a subject and expresses a strong belief or conclusion based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be real" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong conviction about the authenticity or truth of something. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use it judiciously, particularly in speculative scenarios. Consider alternatives like "has to be genuine" or "needs to be authentic" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be real

Slightly less formal than "must be real".

needs to be real

Emphasizes a requirement for authenticity.

should be real

Indicates an expectation or suggestion of authenticity, less forceful.

has to be genuine

Replaces "real" with "genuine", implying authenticity.

needs to be genuine

Replaces "real" with "genuine", emphasizing a requirement.

should be genuine

Replaces "real" with "genuine", indicating an expectation.

is required to be real

Formal phrasing emphasizing the necessity of authenticity.

is expected to be real

Formal phrasing indicating an anticipation of authenticity.

is required to be genuine

Formal phrasing emphasizing the necessity of authenticity, using "genuine".

is expected to be genuine

Formal phrasing indicating an anticipation of authenticity, using "genuine".

FAQs

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

You can use "must be real" to express a strong belief about the authenticity of something. For example, "The evidence is so compelling that the story "must be real"".

What are some alternatives to "must be real"?

Alternatives include "has to be genuine", "needs to be authentic", or "should be real", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "must be real" in formal writing?

While "must be real" is acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider using more precise language like "is demonstrably authentic" or "is verifiably genuine".

What's the difference between "must be real" and "could be real"?

"Must be real" implies a strong conviction based on available evidence, while "could be real" suggests a possibility without strong supporting evidence. The former expresses greater certainty.