must declare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must declare" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating a requirement to announce or state something formally. Example: "All participants must declare their intentions before the deadline." Alternative expressions include "are required to state" and "need to announce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You must declare it.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone must declare a loyalty.

The New York Times

I must declare an interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

I must declare an interest here.

Independent

He must declare his decision on Monday.

The New York Times

"But a judge must declare as such.

The New York Times

And here I must declare an interest.

The Guardian

I must declare an interest – I am a lifelong pedestrian.

Independent

China, he said, must "declare war" on pollution.

The Economist

In Poland, officials must declare whether they were informers.

The New York Times

First of all, I must declare a personal interest here.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must declare" in formal writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what needs to be declared and the reason for the declaration. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "must declare" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler alternatives like "should say" or "need to mention" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must declare" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation or necessity. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it signifies that someone is required to formally announce or state something, often due to a rule, law, or ethical consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must declare" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a formal obligation or requirement to announce something. As verified by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, with particular prominence in news, business, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and appropriateness for the intended audience and setting. Consider related phrases like "are required to declare" or "need to announce" for slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are required to declare

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the declaration, using a more formal tone.

need to announce

Highlights the necessity of making an announcement, focusing on the act of communicating something.

are obligated to report

Specifically implies a duty to report information, often in a legal or official context.

have to disclose

Focuses on revealing information that might otherwise be hidden, often related to transparency.

should proclaim

Suggests a public and often formal announcement, carrying a sense of importance or significance.

are compelled to state

Indicates that someone is being forced or strongly urged to make a statement.

it is essential to communicate

Highlights the importance of conveying information, often in situations where clarity is crucial.

it is mandatory to inform

Emphasizes the compulsory aspect of providing information, often in regulatory or compliance contexts.

are bound to reveal

Suggests a sense of duty or obligation to uncover or make something known.

it's a prerequisite to specify

Highlights that defining something is a condition that must be fulfilled, suggesting the idea of clarifying information in advance for the purpose of meeting certain requirements.

FAQs

How do I use "must declare" in a sentence?

Use "must declare" to indicate a formal or obligatory announcement. For example, "All participants "are required to declare" any conflicts of interest."

What's a less formal way to say "must declare"?

Alternatives include "need to announce", "should mention", or "have to say" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "must declare"?

While grammatically correct, using "must declare" in overly casual conversations can sound stilted. In such cases, consider more informal phrases.

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

"Must declare" implies an obligation or requirement, whereas "should declare" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The former is stronger and more mandatory.