must come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must come" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express necessity or obligation regarding an event or action that is expected to happen. Example: "The changes must come before the deadline." Alternative expressions include "has to come" and "needs to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It must come now.

The New York Times

Foreign investors must come.

The Economist

All witnesses must come forward.

The New York Times

Black people must come first".

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the end must come.

The New York Times - Books

That transition must come peacefully.

The New York Times

You must come as well.

The New Yorker

"You must come on Tuesday.

The New Yorker

"Cuts must come.

The Guardian

They must come first.

The Guardian

They must come clean".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must come" when expressing a strong obligation, requirement, or expectation for someone or something to arrive or appear. For instance, use it to indicate an unavoidable consequence or a necessary action.

Common error

Avoid using "must come" when a conditional statement is more appropriate. "Must come" implies certainty, while conditional phrases (e.g., "should come", "might come") indicate possibility or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must come" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation, necessity, or inevitability. As Ludwig AI indicates, the examples show its use in contexts ranging from required actions to unavoidable events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must come" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong obligation, necessity, or inevitability. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While grammatically correct and very common, it's essential to use it accurately to convey the intended level of obligation or certainty. Related phrases such as "has to arrive" and "needs to appear" can provide alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to express. Remember to avoid using "must come" in situations where a conditional phrase is more appropriate, ensuring clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to arrive

Replaces "must" with "has to", implying obligation or necessity to arrive.

needs to appear

Substitutes "must" with "needs to", suggesting a requirement or necessity for something to appear.

is required to attend

Indicates a mandatory attendance, replacing "come" with "attend" and using a more formal structure.

is bound to happen

Conveys inevitability rather than obligation, focusing on the certainty of an event.

will inevitably occur

Emphasizes the unavoidable nature of an event, using more formal language.

is sure to materialize

Suggests a high degree of certainty that something will happen, replacing "come" with "materialize".

it is imperative to be present

Highlights the urgency and importance of being present, changing the focus from a simple arrival.

it is essential to turn up

Stresses the importance of attending or arriving, using the phrasal verb "turn up".

it is vital to be there

Emphasizes the critical importance of being present at a specific location or event.

is slated to arrive

Indicates a planned or scheduled arrival, focusing on the arrangement rather than necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "must come" in a sentence?

The phrase "must come" is used to express a strong sense of obligation or certainty about an arrival or occurrence. For example, "The transition "must come" peacefully" or "Solutions "must come" from the boards themselves".

What are some alternatives to "must come"?

Alternatives to "must come" include phrases like "has to arrive", "needs to appear", or "is required to attend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had to come" instead of "must come"?

While "must come" indicates a present or future obligation, "had to come" refers to a past obligation. For example, "I must come tomorrow" versus "I had to come yesterday".

What's the difference between "must come" and "should come"?

"Must come" indicates a necessity or strong obligation, whereas "should come" suggests a recommendation or weaker obligation. "You must come" implies it's essential, while "You should come" suggests it's advisable.