must be valid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be valid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating that something is required to be legitimate or acceptable, often in contexts involving rules, regulations, or logical arguments. Example: "For the application to be processed, all submitted documents must be valid and up to date."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.

Columbia University

First, the laws of physics are absolute: the same laws must be valid for all observers.

The New Yorker

Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the passenger's expected return.

The New York Times - Travel

Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date.

The Telegraph

Perhaps Lehrer thinks the findings must be valid because they appeared in a prestigious journal.

The New York Times - Books

To ensure the accuracy of the developed model, the information on material properties must be valid.

Construction and Building Materials

All scores must be valid through December 31 of the Fall in which you are applying.

Princeton University

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Likewise, and reasonably, since UN decisions were valid upon Israel's creation, they must also be valid now and Israel must maintain justice accordingly.

HuffPost

Candidacy must also be valid.

Stanford University

Whatever is valid in the rest of Europe must also be valid in Greece.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be valid", ensure the context clearly defines what 'valid' means. For instance, "The passport must be valid for six months after the return date."

Common error

Avoid using "must be valid" without specifying the criteria for validity. Instead of saying, "The document must be valid", specify, "The document must be valid and signed by an authorized representative."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be valid" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a requirement or necessity. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is required to be legitimate or acceptable. Examples in Ludwig show it's commonly used with documents, scores, and passports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be valid" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a requirement for legitimacy or acceptability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently encountered in academic, news, and scientific contexts, emphasizing the need for compliance with specific standards. The phrase's effectiveness hinges on clearly defining the criteria for validity within the given context. To ensure clarity, avoid overgeneralization and always specify the necessary conditions. Ludwig's examples show a high usage frequency, making it a versatile and essential phrase in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be valid

Emphasizes obligation or necessity; less formal than "must".

needs to be valid

Indicates a requirement; slightly less forceful than "must".

is required to be valid

Highlights the mandatory aspect, often used in formal contexts.

is necessary to be valid

Highlights the need for validity.

is essential to be valid

Stresses the importance of validity.

is imperative to be valid

Emphasizes the critical nature of validity.

should be valid

Suggests a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

must be legitimate

Focuses on the lawfulness or authenticity of something.

ought to be valid

Similar to "should", indicating a moral or logical obligation.

must be correct

Highlights the accuracy or truthfulness of something.

FAQs

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

Use "must be valid" to emphasize a requirement for legitimacy or acceptability. For example, "For the application to be processed, all submitted documents "must be valid" and up to date."

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

You can use alternatives like "has to be valid", "needs to be valid", or "is required to be valid" depending on the context.

When should I use "must be valid" versus "should be valid"?

"Must be valid" indicates a strict requirement, while "should be valid" suggests a recommendation. Use "must" when it's essential and "should" when it's advisable.

What does it mean for a document to "must be valid"?

For a document to "must be valid" means it meets all the necessary criteria to be accepted, such as being authentic, current, and compliant with regulations.