must be signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a signature is required for a document or agreement to be valid or official. Example: "To finalize the contract, it must be signed by both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Liability waiver must be signed first.

The New York Times

The bill must be signed by the president.

The New York Times

Peca and Yashin must be signed to contracts.

The New York Times - Sports

Petitions must be signed in a very short time.

The New York Times

That formula must be signed by all three governors.

The New York Times

When that ends, he must be signed for the rest of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

When that ends, he must be signed for the rest of the season or released.

The New York Times

All submissions must be signed, double-spaced, typed legibly, and encrypted in Linear B cuneiform.

The New Yorker

Both bills must be signed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, a Republican, to become law.

The New York Times

Each time the waste changes hands, a copy of the manifest must be signed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lease must be signed no later than Dec. 31, 2004.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a legal or formal requirement, use "must be signed" to clearly convey the necessity of a signature for validity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be signed" when "must be signed" is more appropriate. "Should" suggests a recommendation, while "must" indicates a requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be signed" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains where this phrase is used to convey that a signature is mandatory for a document or agreement to be valid or complete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be signed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the requirement for a signature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing. The phrase typically functions to indicate necessity and obligation, and is found in both neutral and formal registers. While alternatives like "needs to be signed" or "has to be signed" exist, "must be signed" is a clear and direct way to convey the mandatory nature of a signature for a document or process to be valid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be signed

Replaces "must" with "needs to", softening the obligation slightly.

has to be signed

Substitutes "must" with "has to", maintaining a similar level of necessity.

is required to be signed

Emphasizes the requirement for a signature, adding formality.

should be signed

Replaces "must" with "should", suggesting a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

is to be signed

Formal phrasing indicating a planned or scheduled signing.

requires a signature

Focuses on the action of signing rather than the state of being signed.

demands a signature

Highlights the imperative nature of the signing, making it seem more urgent.

necessitates a signature

A more formal way of saying a signature is needed.

is essential to sign

Shifts the focus to the act of signing as being essential.

bears the signature

Indicates that the document carries a signature, focusing on the presence of the signature rather than the requirement.

FAQs

How do I use "must be signed" in a sentence?

Use "must be signed" to indicate that a signature is required for a document or agreement to be considered valid or complete. For example, "The contract "must be signed" by both parties before it becomes legally binding."

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

You can use alternatives such as "needs to be signed", "has to be signed", or "is required to be signed" depending on the level of formality you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning that a signature is necessary.

Is it acceptable to use "should be signed" instead of "must be signed"?

While "should be signed" is grammatically correct, it implies a recommendation rather than a strict requirement. If a signature is mandatory, ""must be signed"" is the more appropriate and accurate choice.

What is the difference between "must be signed" and "is to be signed"?

"Must be signed" indicates a current requirement, whereas "is to be signed" suggests a future action. "The document "must be signed" today" implies immediate action, while "the document is to be signed tomorrow" schedules the signing for a later time.