must be settled

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be settled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express a requirement or obligation for something to be resolved or resolved in a specific way. Example: The dispute between the two countries must be settled through peaceful negotiations. (Here, "must be settled" emphasizes the necessity for the dispute to be resolved in a peaceful manner.) Another example: All bills must be settled before the end of the month. (In this sentence, "must be settled" conveys the obligation or requirement for all bills to be paid by the end of the month.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some issues must be settled.

The New York Times - Sports

Such a claim does not require the board's cooperation, and must be settled in court.

The New York Times

4 January Pietersen says the situation with Moores must be "settled as soon as possible".

Independent

A number of issues, however, must be settled before Mr. Cristini can move forward.

The New York Times

American diplomats furiously reject this suggestion, arguing that Kosovo's status must be settled now.

The Economist

As an EU member Britain has outstanding obligations and these must be settled.

The Guardian - Opinion

All these issues must be settled while many Wall Street executives grieve.

The New York Times

Besides intellectual property rights, other important areas, like agriculture and anti-dumping duties, must be settled.

The New York Times

He insisted that such matters "must be settled by the academic profession".

The New York Times

And the whole deal must be settled, with money changing hands.In Europe, three huge problems loom over this whole process.

The Economist

So, it extemporised, any delay must be settled by agreement between the government and the election commission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be settled", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs resolution and why it's important. For example, "The terms of the agreement must be settled before the deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "must be settled" in overly casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "needs to be sorted out" or "we need to figure this out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be settled" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something requires resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It implies a necessity or obligation for an issue to be finalized or resolved, which is reflected in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be settled" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates a necessity for resolution or finalization. Ludwig AI analysis, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources, reveals its versatility across different contexts, especially in news and media. While appropriate for neutral to formal situations, alternative phrases may be preferred in informal settings. The phrase's primary function is to emphasize the urgency and importance of addressing a specific issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be resolved

Replaces "settled" with "resolved", maintaining the sense of necessity.

has to be resolved

Substitutes "must" with "has to", indicating obligation.

should be resolved

Uses "should" instead of "must", weakening the obligation slightly.

needs resolution

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of requiring a solution.

requires settlement

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based structure, emphasizing the need for settlement.

demands a resolution

Replaces "must be" with "demands", highlighting the urgency for resolution.

is imperative to resolve

Emphasizes the importance of resolving the matter.

is essential to settle

Highlights the necessity of settling the issue.

it is necessary to resolve

Adds a formal tone by explicitly stating the necessity.

it is crucial to settle

Emphasizes the critical importance of settling the matter.

FAQs

How to use "must be settled" in a sentence?

Use "must be settled" to express that something requires resolution or finalization. For instance, "The details of the contract "must be settled" before we proceed."

What can I say instead of "must be settled"?

You can use alternatives like "needs to be resolved", "has to be resolved", or "should be resolved" depending on the specific context and the level of obligation you want to convey.

Is "must be settled" formal or informal?

"Must be settled" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal situations, phrases like "needs to be sorted out" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "must be settled" and "should be settled"?

"Must be settled" indicates a stronger sense of obligation or necessity, whereas "should be settled" suggests a recommendation or advisability.