must know about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must know about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone is required to have knowledge of a specific topic or subject. Example: "Students must know about the key concepts before the exam." Alternative expressions include "should be aware of" and "need to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But other cover lines betrayed her resolve to address modern readers' concerns: "Teen Suicide: The Danger Signals," "What You Must Know About Herpes".

The New York Times - Arts

You must know about him".

The Guardian - Travel

That's one thing you must know about Redcar.

The Guardian - Business

"I think he must know about it," Ali said.

The Guardian

It is magnificent and people must know about it and enjoy it.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a journalist, you must know about selective quotes and misleading headlines.

The Guardian

That is, if you don't have something to hide, something no one must know about".

The New Yorker

One must know about the many forms capitalism has taken over time and the particular strengths of each form.

Harvard Business Review

I mean, if there is a whole flight simulator in Excel 97, for goodness' sake, Microsoft must know about it.

The New York Times - Tech

If nongovernmental entities can confirm the rising danger of right-wing terrorism, surely the government must know about it.

The Washington Post

You must know about the increased ability of the feds to use wiretaps and Internet surveillance after 9/11.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must know about", ensure the context clearly indicates the necessity of the knowledge. For example, "Engineers must know about safety protocols before operating heavy machinery."

Common error

Avoid using "must know about" when "should know about" or "it is helpful to know about" is more appropriate. Overstating the necessity can sound demanding or condescending. Only use "must" when the knowledge is genuinely essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must know about" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating necessity or obligation. It is used to emphasize the importance of having knowledge about a particular subject. As shown in Ludwig, the structure commonly precedes a noun or noun phrase specifying the topic of required knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must know about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the necessity of having specific knowledge. Its versatility allows for application in various contexts, ranging from formal academic settings to news reports, and business communications. While highly prevalent in News & Media and Science, it is important to gauge the correct degree of obligation in your own writing, as per Ludwig's findings, to avoid overstating what is simply useful versus essential knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

need to be aware of

Indicates a necessity for being informed about something, often implying a practical need.

should be informed about

Suggests a recommendation to gain knowledge, often implying a benefit from doing so.

have to understand

Emphasizes the importance of comprehension, implying a deeper level of knowledge is required.

it is essential to understand

Highlights the crucial nature of understanding a particular topic or concept.

it's important to learn about

Stresses the significance of acquiring knowledge, framing it as a valuable pursuit.

one needs to be versed in

Implies a need for thorough knowledge and expertise, often in a formal context.

require familiarity with

Highlights the necessity of having a working knowledge of something.

you are required to learn

Indicates a mandatory element within a learning journey.

it's critical to be acquainted with

Emphasizes that knowledge is a critical element to be successful.

be conversant with

Indicates a need for conversational level knowledge on a subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must know about" to sound less forceful?

You can use softer alternatives such as "should be aware of", "it is helpful to know about", or "recommended to learn about" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "must know about" and "need to know about"?

While both phrases indicate a requirement for knowledge, "must know about" implies a stronger obligation than "need to know about". The choice depends on the level of necessity you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "must know about"?

"Must know about" is appropriate when the knowledge is essential for safety, compliance, or effective performance. For example, "Pilots must know about air traffic control procedures."

What's a more formal way to say "must know about"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is imperative to understand" or "require familiarity with". These alternatives convey a sense of necessity in a more professional tone.