must be unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'must be unique' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that needs to be different to all other things, usually in terms of its characteristics. For example, "For this job, we need someone with a skillset that must be unique."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each IP address must be unique to distinguish it from other devices on the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

The Turf must be unique in having a woman as assistant secretary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For another, spam filters look for repetition, so to get past a good filter, messages must be unique.

The New York Times - Magazine

All names must use the Latin alphabet, must be unique, and must conform to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

The Guardian - Opinion

A domain name must be unique on the Internet and must be assigned by a registrar accredited by ICANN.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There must be unique contributing factors beyond the mere presence of mentally ill members in American society.

The New York Times

"There must be unique dynamics and very few athletes have ever experienced having the role of being the favourite in their home Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

But as each new strategy is made public, it also becomes clear that each city's approach must be unique to its circumstances.

The Guardian

Species names can be repeated between genera (so lots of genera have a species termed 'magnus' for big or 'annectens' for different etc)., but genera must be unique.

The Guardian

Howard Hodgkin must be unique, however, in being a genuine connoisseur of a relatively recherché area of art, Indian painting of the classic Mughal period.

Independent

"To 'replace' your chairman without so much as a word of explanation and without affording him an opportunity of defending himself in a summary manner must be unique in the annals of corporate history".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of originality, use "must be unique" to highlight that something needs to stand out and not be a copy of existing items. This is especially useful in fields such as branding, scientific research, and artistic creation.

Common error

Avoid using "must be unique" when "different" or "distinct" suffices. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for situations where true singularity is essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be unique" functions as a modal verb phrase followed by an adjective. Grammatically, it expresses a strong necessity or requirement for something to possess the quality of being unparalleled or one-of-a-kind. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be unique" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to assert the critical need for something to be distinct and unparalleled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and well-suited for various contexts, including science, news, and general communication. The phrase sees frequent use in academic and scientific contexts, emphasizing its versatility across different formality levels. When incorporating "must be unique" into your writing, it is essential to reserve it for instances that truly necessitate singularity to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be one of a kind

Highlights the requirement of something being exceptional and not replicable.

must be unlike any other

Directly conveys that something must be dissimilar to everything else.

needs to be differentiated

Focuses on the need for something to be distinctly set apart.

has to be distinctive

Emphasizes the need for something to stand out from the rest.

needs to be unparalleled

Highlights the necessity for something to be unmatched or unrivaled.

should be unprecedented

Implies that something must have no prior occurrence or parallel.

should be singular

Stresses the desirability for something to be one of a kind.

ought to be exceptional

Indicates that something should be beyond the ordinary.

is required to be exclusive

Highlights a formal requirement for something to be restricted to a select group or purpose.

is essential to be particular

Emphasizes the criticality of something being very specific and detailed.

FAQs

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

You can use "must be unique" to emphasize that something should be one of a kind. For example, "Each user's password "must be unique" to ensure security".

What are some alternatives to "must be unique"?

Alternatives to "must be unique" include "has to be distinctive", "needs to be unparalleled", or "must be unlike any other", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "must be unique"?

It is appropriate to use "must be unique" when stressing the necessity for something to be entirely different and not a duplicate or imitation of anything else. This is particularly relevant in contexts requiring originality and exclusivity.

What does it mean when something "must be unique"?

When something "must be unique", it means that it needs to be the only one of its kind and possess characteristics that set it apart from all others. This implies that it cannot be replicated or found elsewhere in the same form.