must be useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assumption about the utility or practicality of something. Example: "This tool looks complex, but it must be useful for professionals in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Still, many of these recommendations have existed for generations, and the fact that they are still in use suggests that some must be useful or effective.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

It must be useful and solve a problem".

The New York Times

It must be useful to have a name like Godard.

The Guardian

"The medicine must work on myself first," Musso added of his compositions, "but the mixture must be useful to everybody".

The Guardian - Music

A sedan must be useful, and design freedom is constrained by targets for mundane requirements like hip room and trunk volume.

The New York Times

For your writing to be great — I mean great, not clever, or even brilliant, or most misleading of all, beautiful — it must be useful to the world.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

However, one cannot create a particular kind of artifact just by designing something with the intention that it be used for some particular purpose: a member of the kind so created must actually be useful for that purpose.

SEP

"The second is that whatever is useful to the people must also be useful to the chancellor".

The New York Times

Why? Kodak practically invented the digital camera, and some of their IP must surely be useful to the likes of Sony or Samsung.

TechCrunch

It must also be useful to protect their naked skins, which are vulnerable to injury.

Genes to Cells

Research of local regional microcirculation must therefore be useful for diagnostic and prognostic value.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating options, explicitly state how each option "must be useful" to solve a specific problem or achieve a desired outcome. This clarifies the rationale behind your choices.

Common error

Avoid assuming something is useful without specifying to whom or for what purpose. Clearly articulate the intended beneficiaries and the specific benefits to ensure clarity and avoid vague claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be useful" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a necessary condition for something to be considered valuable or acceptable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be useful" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote the necessity of practical application or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly articulate the intended beneficiaries and the specific benefits to maintain clarity and avoid vague claims. Alternatives include "should prove beneficial" or "needs to be practical", depending on the context. When evaluating options, explicitly state how each option "must be useful" to solve a specific problem or achieve a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must serve a purpose

Highlights the importance of having a defined aim or function.

needs to be practical

Focuses specifically on practicality rather than general utility.

it has to be helpful

This alternative is more informal and focuses on providing assistance.

should prove beneficial

Changes the modality from a strong necessity to a suggestion of benefit.

has to be effective

Shifts the emphasis to the effectiveness of something.

ought to be advantageous

Replaces the direct term with a more formal suggestion of advantage.

should provide value

Emphasizes the worth or benefit provided to the user.

is required to work

Focuses on the necessity of functionality.

is essential for application

Highlights the critical nature of being suitable for a specific task.

is important to have value

Emphasizes the importance of having worth or benefit.

FAQs

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

Use "must be useful" to express that something is necessary to have a practical application or serve a specific purpose. For example, "A good tool "must be useful" in solving common problems".

What are some alternatives to "must be useful"?

Alternatives include "should prove beneficial", "needs to be practical", or "must serve a purpose", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "must be useful" or "should be useful"?

"Must be useful" implies a stronger requirement for utility, while "should be useful" suggests a desirable but not necessarily essential quality. The choice depends on the degree of necessity you want to convey.

What's the difference between "must be useful" and "has to be effective"?

"Must be useful" emphasizes practical application and purpose, while "has to be effective" focuses on achieving a desired result or outcome. While related, they highlight different aspects of functionality.