must go

USAGE SUMMARY

"must go" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a sense of urgency and necessity. For example, "We must go now; the train leaves in five minutes".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Must go.

The Guardian

I must go on!

Independent

King must go".

Independent

SCAF must go.

The New Yorker

Everything must go somewhere.

The New York Times

"We must go fast".

The New York Times - Magazine

The charge must go".

Independent

Must go now.

The New Yorker

Ghana Must Go.

The Economist

Mugabe must go.

The New York Times

Klinsmann must go!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must go" to convey a strong sense of obligation or necessity. Be mindful of the context to ensure the tone is appropriate.

Common error

While "must go" is generally correct, avoid overusing it in very informal settings where alternatives like "have to go" or "need to go" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must go" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating necessity or obligation. It combines the modal verb "must" with the infinitive "go" to express a strong requirement for action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must go" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal verb phrase that conveys a strong sense of necessity or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a proper expression with common usage. It appears across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in tone, it can adopt a more formal register depending on the situation. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "has to leave" or "needs to depart" to tailor the expression to the specific context. Be mindful of the overall tone to ensure your writing remains natural and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to leave

Indicates a requirement or obligation to depart.

needs to depart

Emphasizes the necessity of leaving.

is obliged to go

Highlights a formal obligation to leave.

is required to leave

Indicates a strong need or regulation to depart.

it's time to leave

Suggests that the appropriate moment for departure has arrived.

it is essential to go

Stresses the importance of leaving.

I should be going

A polite expression indicating an intention to depart.

I've got to go

An informal way of saying one needs to leave.

I need to head out

An informal way of saying one needs to depart.

it's imperative to leave

Emphasizes the critical importance of leaving.

FAQs

How to use "must go" in a sentence?

Use "must go" to indicate a strong obligation or necessity, such as "I "must go" now or I'll miss my flight" or "The old system "must go" to make way for innovation".

What can I say instead of "must go"?

You can use alternatives like "has to leave", "needs to depart", or "is required to leave" depending on the context.

Is there a difference in formality between "must go" and "have to go"?

"Must go" typically carries a stronger sense of obligation or formality than "have to go", which is generally more casual. The choice depends on the context and intended tone.

When is it inappropriate to use "must go"?

While generally acceptable, "must go" might sound overly formal or stiff in very casual conversations. In such cases, consider using more relaxed alternatives like "I've got to go" or "I need to head out".