must exist

USAGE SUMMARY

"must exist" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is necessary or required. For example, "In order for democracy to succeed, basic human rights must exist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since the cause is existent, the effect also must exist.

SEP

The rest, however, must exist.

The Economist

Group couples therapy: it must exist.

The New York Times - Books

Science must exist within the broader cultural and societal context.

The Guardian

If I think, I must exist — Cogito ergo sum.

The New Yorker

The People must exist: they climbed the rafters.

The New Yorker

I keep imagining it must exist somewhere, but it doesn't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Justice must exist before there can be peace".

The New York Times

He was too shrewd to believe that it must exist.

The Economist

He checked for the conclusive studies he knew must exist.

The New York Times

Therefore they must exist.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must exist" to express a logical necessity or a condition that is required for something else to be true. For example, "For justice to prevail, fairness "must exist".

Common error

Avoid using "must exist" when you simply mean something is possible or likely. "Must exist" implies a stronger sense of certainty or requirement, not just a possibility. Use "might exist" or "could exist" instead to indicate possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must exist" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating necessity or logical certainty regarding the existence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It suggests that something is not just possible, but required or logically follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must exist" is a grammatically correct and commonly used modal verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for expressing the necessity or logical certainty that something exists. Our analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that it is frequently used in scientific and news contexts, and conveys a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases, such as "has to exist" or "is required to exist", offer nuanced alternatives, while it's essential to avoid its misuse for simple possibilities. Use "must exist" when stating a condition or logical conclusion, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to exist

Emphasizes obligation or requirement for existence.

necessarily exists

Stresses the logical necessity of existence.

is required to exist

Highlights the necessity of existence due to a specific requirement.

undoubtedly exists

Indicates that there is no question about its existence.

is certain to exist

Similar to 'is sure to exist', indicating a strong belief in existence.

is bound to exist

Suggests that existence is inevitable or certain.

is sure to exist

Implies a high degree of confidence in the existence of something.

absolutely exists

Stresses that something certainly and without any doubt exists

it is essential that it exists

Emphasizes the vital importance of something's existence.

is imperative that it exists

Highlights the critical and urgent need for something to exist.

FAQs

How to use "must exist" in a sentence?

Use "must exist" to indicate a necessary condition or a logical conclusion. For example: "If there's a problem, there "must exist" a solution."

What can I say instead of "must exist"?

You can use alternatives like "has to exist", "is required to exist", or "necessarily exists depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "must exist" or "has to exist"?

Both "must exist" and "has to exist" are correct, but "must exist" implies a stronger sense of necessity or logical deduction, while "has to exist" can also imply obligation.

What's the difference between "must exist" and "might exist"?

"Must exist" indicates a certainty or necessity based on logical deduction or requirement, whereas "might exist" suggests only a possibility. For example, 'A flaw "must exist"' indicates certainty. 'A flaw "might exist"' indicates possibility.