must be within

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be within" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something needs to fall inside a specific range or limit. Example: "All submissions must be within the specified word count to be considered for the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it must be within robust governance arrangements.

The Guardian - Opinion

To compete, higher education must be within reach of every American.

The Guardian

At all times he must be within call of the royal pair".

The New Yorker

They must be within 10 feet of the animal to throw a harpoon.

The Guardian - Travel

Acceptance, especially via a major news outlet, must be within reach.

The Guardian - Tech

Therefore, such declaration for a variable must be within the process itself.

VHDL Coding and Logic Synthesis with Synopsys®

The contour error must be within the permissible tolerance of given products.

ISA Transactions

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

The Economist

For example, if you're frying, you must be within reach of the freezer".

The New York Times - Food

With some devices, they must be within inches of the reprogramming machine.

The New York Times - Science

Fielders must hear where it lands (which must be within the diamond).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be within" to set clear and measurable expectations, such as deadlines or acceptable ranges. This leaves no ambiguity about what is acceptable or not.

Common error

Avoid using "must be within" with unclear or inconsistent range definitions. For example, stating "The budget must be within an acceptable range" is vague. Instead, specify the exact range: "The budget must be within $10,000 to $15,000".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be within" functions as a modal phrase, expressing a requirement or obligation to be inside a specific boundary, range, or limit. It indicates a necessary condition for something to be acceptable or valid, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be within" is a versatile modal phrase that is grammatically sound and used to express a necessary condition of inclusion within a defined range. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found across diverse contexts, including news media, scientific literature, and academic writing, with a tendency towards neutral and formal registers. To ensure clarity, always specify units of measurement and avoid vague range definitions. Consider using alternatives like "has to be inside" or "needs to be contained in" based on context. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "must be within" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be inside

Emphasizes necessity with an informal tone.

needs to be contained in

Highlights the containment aspect more explicitly.

is required to be inside

Stresses a formal requirement for inclusion.

is essential to be within

Focuses on the importance of being within the limits.

should fall inside

Suggests a recommended but not strictly enforced inclusion.

ought to be included in

Indicates a moral or advisory obligation to be within.

is important to stay within

Highlights maintaining a position inside specified limits.

is crucial to remain in

Emphasizes the criticality of staying within a boundary.

is vital to keep within

Focuses on the life-or-death necessity of staying inside.

is compulsory to be inside

Implies a mandatory or legally enforced inclusion.

FAQs

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

The phrase "must be within" indicates a requirement to be inside a specified range or limit. For example, "All entries "must be within" the word limit" or "The delivery address "must be within" the United States".

What are some alternatives to using "must be within"?

Alternatives include "has to be inside", "needs to be contained in", or "is required to be inside", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "must be within the range of"?

Yes, "must be within the range of" is grammatically correct, but it can sometimes be more concise to simply say ""must be within"" followed by the specific range.

What is the difference between "must be within" and "should be within"?

"Must be within" indicates a strict requirement, while "should be within" suggests a recommendation or expectation. "Must" implies non-compliance will result in failure, whereas "should" implies it is preferable but not necessarily mandatory.