must contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must contain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to specify that something is required to include certain elements or features. Example: "The report must contain all relevant data to support the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It must contain everything".

The New York Times

Your example must contain both elements.

The Guardian

It must contain tears, suspense and mystery.

The Guardian - Opinion

It must contain monotonically increasing data.

Harvard University

The file must contain a CTI_APP keyword.

Harvard University

lst must contain at least one item.

University of California, Berkeley

Your email must contain your name, address and telephone number.

The Guardian - Books

A city must contain members of the public.

The Guardian

It must contain tomato, basil and genuine mozzarella.

The Guardian

Croissants must contain water, salt, yeast, sugar and butter.

Independent

ASCII format region files must contain more than 1 row.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "must contain" with other phrases like "is required to have" when you need to emphasize obligation, or like "should incorporate" to soften the tone.

Common error

Avoid using "must contain" in casual writing where a less forceful phrase like "should include" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must contain" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a mandatory requirement or necessary inclusion. This is supported by Ludwig, with many examples specifying conditions that have to be met. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

29%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must contain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. It serves to express a mandatory inclusion, often appearing in formal writing where clarity and precision are paramount. Ludwig, with its comprehensive set of examples, confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and the various alternative phrases offer nuanced ways to express similar requirements. While highly useful, it's best to reserve it for situations where a strict condition is being communicated, avoiding overuse in informal settings where a softer tone is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to have

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the inclusion.

is obligated to include

Highlights a formal requirement or duty.

needs to feature

Suggests that something should prominently display a characteristic.

should incorporate

Implies a recommendation or best practice for inclusion.

has to have

A more informal way of expressing necessity.

is bound to hold

Indicates an inevitable or naturally expected inclusion.

is expected to encompass

Suggests a broader, more comprehensive inclusion.

demands the presence of

Stresses the imperative nature of the requirement.

entails the inclusion of

Highlights that it implicitly requires inclusion.

mandates that it has

Highlights that the phrase is dictated by an authority

FAQs

How to use "must contain" in a sentence?

Use "must contain" to specify a mandatory requirement or inclusion. For example, "The application must contain all required documents."

What can I say instead of "must contain"?

You can use alternatives like "is required to have", "needs to include", or "should incorporate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "must contain" or "should contain"?

"Must contain" indicates a strict requirement, while "should contain" suggests a recommendation. Use "must" when the inclusion is mandatory.

What's the difference between "must contain" and "has to have"?

"Must contain" is more formal and emphasizes a rule or requirement, while "has to have" is more informal and conversational, but they're mostly interchangeable.