must initially have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must initially have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing prerequisites or requirements that are necessary at the beginning of a process or situation. Example: "To succeed in this project, you must initially have a clear understanding of the objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Anchoring this analysis are important yet often overlooked considerations about Verrocchio's studio specifically, the collaborative nature of most works that emerged from it and the probability that Leonardo must initially have learned to paint in tempera, as his teacher did.

Yale University

Northwich had limbered up with a practice session at Newcastle's training ground where Elliott, an impressive midfielder, is employed as an academy coach but Burr must initially have wondered if working out on the same turf as Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong had had a debilitating effect on his defenders.

The Guardian - Sport

When he battled George "The Orchid Man" Carpentier, however, the Manassa Mauler must initially have been wondering whether to prune him, weedkiller him, or go for the long-term strategy of leaving him on the windowsill and forgetting to repot him until he withered.

The Guardian - Sport

Bhante must initially have felt that he'd found safe harbour, for – in addition to its casual attitude about immigration – Cambodia is a Buddhist country.

Vice

To have this effect, a constraint must initially have more than a linear increase in intensity with greater sequence length.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In this study, we therefore argue that an observed seroconversion must initially have been caused by a natural infection, yet we are aware that we might have been measuring vaccine antibodies at the time of sampling.

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The polymorphism in the MHC must therefore – at least initially – have originated from a different selective pressure, such as host-parasite co-evolution [ 7], but ABC evolution could potentially contribute to its maintenance.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

I must admit, I initially had little sympathy for Julie and Gerald Kulesza, who were kicked off an AirTran flight when they couldn't control their tantrum-throwing 3-year-old daughter, according to The Telegram.

Huffington Post

It will initially have pharmaceutical testing applications.

The New York Times

Having taken such an approach, the Advocate General did not provide any guidelines as to how the "best interests of the child" should be assessed – however, he just stressed that it is only the forum most appropriate for serving the interests of the child that must be assessed by the court initially having jurisdiction.

Columbia University

By use of GPS, it initially has a rough idea of the route it must follow to get to a destination.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must initially have", ensure that the context clearly establishes the sequence of events or stages being discussed. This clarifies the necessity of the initial condition.

Common error

Avoid using "must initially have" when the initial state is not truly a prerequisite, but merely a concurrent aspect. Instead, clarify whether the state is a dependency or a simultaneous occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must initially have" functions as a modal construction expressing a strong necessity or logical deduction about a prior condition. It suggests that a certain state or element was essential at the beginning of a process or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must initially have" is grammatically sound and functions to indicate a necessary initial condition or a deduction about a past starting state. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in writing. Although versatile, it is more often found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the initial condition is indeed a prerequisite and that the temporal sequence is clear. While common alternatives exist, such as "should initially possess" and "had to begin with", the specific context dictates the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should initially possess

Replaces "must have" with a weaker obligation, focusing on a recommended starting point.

needs to have started with

Specifies that the requirement is about the origin or commencement of something.

had to begin with

Indicates a past necessity at the outset of a situation or process.

necessarily started out with

Highlights the unavoidable initial state of something.

must have begun with

Emphasizes the initial stage of a development or process.

is required to start with

Focuses on the mandatory initial component or action.

is essential to initially include

Highlights the crucial initial inclusion of something.

is fundamentally required at first

Emphasizes a fundamental need at the beginning.

must at the outset include

Uses a more formal tone to express a mandatory initial element.

is primitively required to have

Conveys that something is fundamentally and originally required.

FAQs

How can I use "must initially have" in a sentence?

Use "must initially have" to indicate a necessary starting condition or prerequisite. For example, "To succeed, the project "must initially have" a clear set of objectives".

What are some alternatives to "must initially have"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should initially possess", "needs to have started with", or "had to begin with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "must initially have" or "initially must have"?

"Must initially have" is generally preferred. While "initially must have" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can sound less natural. Placing "initially" before "must" tends to shift the emphasis slightly.

What's the difference between "must initially have" and "must have initially"?

"Must initially have" emphasizes the necessity of something being present from the very start, whereas "must have initially" suggests a deduction or assumption about a past state that started at the beginning. The placement of 'initially' changes the emphasis.