must looks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must looks" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a grammatical error, as "must" should be followed by the base form of the verb, which is "look" in this case. Example: "The project must look professional to impress the clients."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You must looks at your class carefully and watch for patterns to find the skills does it (primarily) rely on.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I must look incredulous.

Independent

They must look abroad.

The New York Times - Arts

The Jets must look ahead.

The New York Times

Clearly, Tottenham must look ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

I must look distraught, crazed.

The New Yorker

Must look INNOCENT 15.

The Guardian - Books

One must look closer.

The New York Times

Nothing must look awry.

The New York Times - Books

He must look.

The Guardian - Arts

"We must look ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after the modal verb "must". The correct form is "must look", "must go", "must eat", etc.

Common error

Avoid using the third-person singular form of the verb with modal verbs like "must". "Must" is followed by the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject. Therefore, it's always "must look" and never "must looks", even when the subject is he, she, or it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must looks" is intended to express obligation or necessity combined with the act of looking. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the modal verb "must" requires the base form of the verb, which is "look".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must looks" is grammatically incorrect. The modal verb "must" always needs to be followed by the base form of the verb, which is "look". While the intention is to express obligation or necessity, the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness and clarity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's crucial to use "must look" instead. When in doubt, remember that modal verbs like "must", "should", and "can" are always followed by the base form of the verb. Using alternatives such as "have to look" or "need to look" can also provide similar meaning while ensuring grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must look

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb "look" after the modal verb "must".

have to look

Replaces "must" with "have to", providing a similar sense of obligation or necessity while maintaining correct grammar.

have got to look

An informal alternative to "have to look", conveying a similar sense of obligation.

need to look

Substitutes "must" with "need to", indicating a requirement or necessity to look.

should look

Replaces "must" with "should", conveying a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict obligation.

ought to look

Similar to "should look", this phrase provides a suggestion or expectation, but with a slightly more formal tone.

it is essential to look

Replaces the modal verb with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the importance of looking.

it's necessary to look

Similar to "it is essential to look", this phrase highlights the necessity of looking.

it's important to look

This alternative shifts the emphasis to the importance of looking, rather than an obligation.

required to look

Indicates that looking is a requirement or condition that must be met.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "must" with another verb?

The word "must" is a modal verb, which means it's always followed by the base form of the verb. For example, you should say "I must look", not "I must looks" or "I must looking".

What are some alternatives to using "must look"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have to look", "need to look", or "should look".

Is there a difference in meaning between "must look" and "should look"?

Yes, "must look" implies a stronger obligation or necessity, while "should look" suggests a recommendation or advice.

Which phrase is grammatically correct: "must look" or "must looks"?

"Must look" is grammatically correct. "Must" is a modal verb that requires the base form of the verb to follow it.