must be specified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be specified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that certain details or requirements need to be clearly defined or stated. Example: "All safety protocols must be specified in the project documentation to ensure compliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No default value (must be specified).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The time zone must be specified.

University of California, Berkeley

from TDirectory, the third argument classname MUST be specified.

Stanford University

The plot id of the structure must be specified.

Harvard University

The place to be searched must be specified, and must be within the United States.

The Economist

In contrast, the operands of register machine instructions must be specified explicitly.

Science of Computer Programming

Moreover, most have numerical parameters whose value must be specified by the user.

Medical Image Analysis

First, when a digital system is needed, the requirements of the system must be specified.

The Designer's Guide to VHDL

As a result, it is concluded that for adiabatic absorbers a subcooling temperature must be specified.

International Journal of Refrigeration

Some target temperatures must be specified as known inputs to infer the unknown thermal boundary conditions.

Building and Environment

Alternative methods of application must be specified in any bids for work on buildings with wood decks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "must be specified", ensure that you clearly state what needs to be specified and how it should be specified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "must be specified" without providing context. Instead of saying "Details must be specified", clarify with "The dimensions of the room must be specified in the building plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be specified" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a necessity or requirement for something to be explicitly stated or defined. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

Academia

20%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be specified" is a grammatically correct and widely used modal passive construction that indicates a necessity or requirement for something to be explicitly stated. Ludwig AI data confirms its proper usage across diverse fields. It's most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, emphasizing precision and clarity. Related phrases include "needs to be defined" and "should be outlined", each offering slight variations in formality and emphasis. When using "must be specified", ensure you clearly define what and how something needs to be specified to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be defined

Replaces the modal verb "must" with "needs to", indicating a requirement for definition.

is required

Emphasizes the mandatory nature using a passive construction.

should be outlined

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

has to be indicated

Uses "has to be" to convey obligation, similar to "must".

is essential

Highlights the importance of the specification.

is necessary

Indicates that specifying something is a condition that cannot be avoided.

demands specification

Emphasizes that something actively requires specification.

requires detailing

Focuses on the need for a detailed explanation or description.

calls for clarification

Highlights that something is unclear and needs to be made clearer.

warrants definition

Suggests that something deserves or justifies a clear definition.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be specified" indicates a requirement for certain details to be clearly stated. For example: "The file format "must be specified" in the configuration settings."

What's a less formal alternative to "must be specified"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "needs to be defined", "should be outlined", or "has to be indicated" as less formal alternatives.

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

"Must be specified" indicates a strict requirement, while "should be specified" suggests a recommendation. The choice depends on whether the specification is mandatory or merely advisable.

What are some common things that "must be specified" in technical writing?

In technical writing, it's common for things like parameters, requirements, and configurations to "must be specified" to ensure clarity and accuracy. For example, "All input parameters "must be specified" with their units."