must deserve

USAGE SUMMARY

'must deserve' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone truly deserves something due to their hard work, or that something needs to be deserved before it can be attained. Example sentence: "You must deserve that promotion if you want to get it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

None claims the title publicly, yet some must deserve it.

The Economist

Mr. Sivan's editor, Audrey Maurion, must deserve some credit as well.

The New York Times

If £20 yields a mug, £3m must deserve a tea-set.

The Guardian

One reason, the sociologist Daniel Little suggested in a recent essay, is market ideology: If the market is always right, then people who end up poor must deserve to be poor.

The New York Times

At the same time, it may also help to explain our capacity to step over a beggar on the way into a shop without so much as a twinge – deep down, a bit of us thinks he must deserve it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every player must deserve his place in the team, there is no need to 'carry' a captain.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Defenders of the prosecution seem to think that anyone charged with a felony must somehow deserve punishment.

The New Yorker

Ross Gittins was the only one to get it right when he stated:  Joe Hockey and Competition and Consumer Commission boss Rod Sims must surely deserve a medal for their selfless devotion to the interests of foreigners.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's an assumption that if you can't even get a good recommendation from the head of your lab, you must not deserve a good recommendation.

Science Magazine

But the Republican Party has not yet done what it must to deserve victory.

Huffington Post

When he starts insulting you in public, you feel shame and guilt; you must surely deserve this.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must deserve" to strongly assert that someone's actions or qualities make them worthy of something. For example, "If you want to get that promotion, you "must deserve" it."

Common error

Avoid using "must deserve" in overly casual conversations. While grammatically sound, it carries a tone of strong assertion that may sound out of place in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "deserves" or "should get".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must deserve" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a strong sense of obligation or certainty regarding someone's deservingness. It combines the modal verb 'must' with the verb 'deserve' to emphasize a firm conviction. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must deserve" is a grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to emphatically assert that someone is worthy of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly employed in news and media, conveying a strong sense of conviction. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in overly informal settings. Consider alternatives, such as "are worthy of" or "have earned the right to", to fine-tune the tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have earned the right to

Highlights the effort or achievement that leads to deservingness.

have a right to

Emphasizes the legal or moral basis for deserving something.

merit

Implies earning something through actions or qualities.

are due

Implies something is owed or rightfully belongs to someone.

are worthy recipients of

Focuses on the positive qualities that make someone suitable to receive something.

are worthy of

Focuses on the quality of being good enough to receive something.

warrant

Suggests a good reason or basis for receiving something.

are entitled to

Suggests a right or legitimate claim to something.

have a claim to

Indicates a legitimate basis for demanding or receiving something.

are justified in receiving

Emphasizes the fairness or righteousness of receiving something.

FAQs

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

You can use "must deserve" to emphasize that someone has truly earned something through their actions or qualities. For example, "She "must deserve" that award for all her hard work."

What's a more casual way to express the idea of "must deserve"?

In less formal contexts, you could use phrases like "really deserves" or "definitely earned it". These alternatives are less emphatic than "must deserve".

Is it ever incorrect to use "must deserve"?

While grammatically correct, "must deserve" can sound overly assertive in some situations. Consider the context and your audience to ensure it doesn't come across as presumptuous or condescending. For example avoid saying that someone "must join" or "must be" something.

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

"Must deserve" implies a stronger sense of certainty and obligation than "should deserve". "Must deserve" suggests an undeniable right based on merit, while "should deserve" implies a more conditional or subjective assessment.