must exclude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must exclude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying that something is required to be left out or not included in a particular context. Example: "In order to maintain the integrity of the experiment, we must exclude any variables that could skew the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initially, Chelsea stipulated that the agreement must exclude United.

Independent

The IOC simply must exclude the Russian Olympic Committee and its athletes from the Rio Games.

The Guardian - Sport

"We must exclude someone from our gathering, or we shall be left with nothing".

The Guardian - Opinion

For many conservatives, a bill must exclude such a public plan.

The New York Times

Both the direct costs and the indirect costs must exclude capital expenditures and unallowable costs.

Cornell University

The distribution base must exclude participant support costs as defined in § 200.75 Participant support costs.

Cornell University

But Lincoln, unlike Douglas, insisted that Congress must exclude slavery from the territories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, since intimacy discourages impartiality, their approval authorities must exclude proposals they have worked on.

The Economist

Any dialogue with the Americans, General Konashenkov said, "must exclude even a hint at threatening our servicemen and Russian citizens".

The New York Times

Even in a more interconnected world (and with our commitments to the EU), citizenship must exclude as well as include.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, Rule 403 suggests that the judge must exclude evidence if its likely prejudicial effect outweighs its probative value.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a professional tone, favor "must exclude" over alternatives like "has to leave out" in formal writing contexts such as academic papers or business reports.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "must exclude" in very informal settings can sound overly stiff. Consider using alternatives like "shouldn't include" or "can't have" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must exclude" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating necessity or obligation to omit or leave out something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts where specific elements need to be excluded to meet certain requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must exclude" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a mandatory omission or exclusion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing. While its tone leans towards neutral to formal, it's crucial to consider the audience and choose more casual alternatives like "should omit" or "can't include" in informal settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the rationale behind the exclusion is transparent to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. Remember that its primary function is to impose a boundary or specify a non-negotiable condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not include

This phrase directly states what is not allowed to be part of something.

is required to omit

This option emphasizes the obligatory nature of the exclusion, often due to a rule or regulation.

should omit

This alternative suggests a recommendation or advice to leave something out, rather than a strict requirement.

mandates exclusion of

This option emphasizes that the exclusion is officially ordered or required.

has to leave out

This is a more informal and direct alternative, indicating a mandatory omission.

needs to preclude

This is a more formal alternative, implying the necessity to prevent something from happening or being considered.

cannot contain

This is suitable when referring to the composition or contents of something.

is forbidden to incorporate

This alternative emphasizes that something is not permitted to be included.

necessarily excludes

This suggests that the exclusion is a logical consequence or inherent property.

demands the omission of

This is a strong and formal alternative, emphasizing the importance of the exclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "must exclude" to indicate a mandatory exclusion or omission. For example, "The report must exclude any personal opinions" or "The data analysis must exclude outliers".

What are some alternatives to "must exclude"?

Alternatives include "should omit", "needs to preclude", or "must not include", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "must exclude" instead of "should exclude"?

"Must exclude" implies a strict requirement or obligation, whereas "should exclude" suggests a recommendation or preference. Use "must" when the exclusion is non-negotiable.

Is "must exclude" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "must exclude" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using phrases like "can't include" or "should leave out" for a more relaxed tone.