must be stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

"must be stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something needs to be stopped immediately or soon. For example, "Pollution of our oceans must be stopped to protect marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Colbert must be stopped".

The New York Times

He MUST be stopped!

The New York Times

Thugs must be stopped.

Independent

This must be stopped".

The New York Times

And they must be stopped".

The New Yorker

It must be stopped immediately".

The New York Times

"They must be stopped forthwith".

The New York Times

He must be stopped.

The New Yorker

And must be stopped.

The Guardian

Terror must be stopped.

The New York Times

It must be stopped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be stopped", ensure the context clearly identifies what action or entity requires immediate cessation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "must be stopped" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "needs to stop" or "should be stopped" for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be stopped" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing strong necessity or obligation for an action to cease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It typically indicates a situation requiring immediate intervention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be stopped" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the urgent need to cease an action or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, its correctness and wide usage across diverse, reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, make it a versatile choice. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, remember that less forceful alternatives might be preferable for informal settings. When using "must be stopped", ensure clarity in identifying what requires cessation to avoid ambiguity. Also, consider alternatives like "needs to be halted" or "should be prevented" to match the tone of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be prevented

Highlights the obligation to stop something; presents a strong sense of duty.

it's crucial to stop

Highlights the critical need to stop; less formal but maintains urgency.

needs to be halted

Emphasizes the necessity of bringing something to a standstill; slightly less forceful.

demands to be stopped

Highlights the urgency that action should be taken.

is imperative to prevent

Stresses the critical importance of stopping something; more formal and emphatic.

must not continue

Focuses on preventing continuation.

should be prevented

Focuses on proactive measures to avert an event or action; less immediate.

requires immediate cessation

Highlights the demand for immediate halting of an action or process.

necessitates immediate intervention

Emphasizes the urgent need for immediate actions to stop something.

calls for a halt

Expresses a request for stopping something

FAQs

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

Use "must be stopped" to express that something urgently needs to cease. For example, "This dangerous trend "must be stopped" to protect public safety."

What are some alternatives to saying "must be stopped"?

You can use alternatives like "needs to be halted", "should be prevented", or "has to be prevented" depending on the context.

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

"Must be stopped" conveys a stronger sense of urgency and necessity than "should be stopped". "Must be stopped" indicates immediate action is crucial, while "should be stopped" suggests a recommendation or suggestion.

Is "must be stopped" formal or informal?

The phrase ""must be stopped"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in very casual situations, less forceful alternatives may be preferred.