must never

USAGE SUMMARY

"must never" is correct and usable in written English.
It is common to use "must never" when expressing a strong prohibition, such as in the sentence, "You must never give out your personal information online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We must never apologise.

Independent

That must never change.

The New York Times

It must never be flat".

The New Yorker

But support must never stop.

The New York Times

They must never be forgotten".

Independent

This must never happen again".

The New Yorker

The reinvention must never stop.

The Economist

That must never happen again.

The New York Times

We must never become bitter.

Independent

Knightley must never marry.

The Guardian - Books

One must never be disappointed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must never" when conveying a strong sense of prohibition, obligation or when emphasizing the severe consequences of an action. For example, "Data breaches "must never" be taken lightly by the cybersecurity team.".

Common error

While "must never" effectively conveys strong prohibition, avoid using it in overly casual or informal contexts where less forceful language would be more appropriate. Using it too often can sound overly formal or even theatrical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must never" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing strong prohibition or obligation. It indicates that an action is absolutely not permitted or should not occur under any circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must never" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of prohibition or obligation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to issue firm directives and warnings. While versatile, its use should be carefully considered, avoiding overuse in informal settings where it may sound overly theatrical. Alternatives like "should never" or "is strictly forbidden" can offer a more nuanced approach depending on the context. Remember to reserve "must never" for scenarios that truly warrant a strong, unequivocal message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should never

Expresses a strong recommendation against something, but is slightly less forceful than "must never".

absolutely must not

Adds extra emphasis to the prohibition.

cannot ever

Indicates impossibility, but in some contexts can be used to convey a strong prohibition.

must not ever

An intensified form of "must not", adding emphasis on the temporal aspect of the prohibition.

is strictly forbidden

Formal and emphatic way of saying something is not allowed.

is not allowed

A direct and simple way to express prohibition.

can't be tolerated

Suggests something is unacceptable and will not be allowed.

under no circumstances

Emphasizes that something is not permitted in any situation.

is out of the question

Indicates something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

never again

Implies a commitment to prevent something from recurring.

FAQs

How to use “must never” in a sentence?

The phrase "must never" is used to express a strong prohibition or obligation. For example, "You "must never" share your password with anyone", or "We "must never" forget the lessons of the past".

What can I say instead of “must never”?

You can use alternatives like "should never", "is strictly forbidden", or "is not allowed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, “must never” or “should never”?

Both "must never" and "should never" are grammatically correct, but "must never" implies a stronger obligation or prohibition than "should never". Use "must never" when the action is absolutely not permitted.

What's the difference between “must never” and “cannot ever”?

"Must never" expresses a strong prohibition, while "cannot ever" suggests impossibility. Although they can overlap in meaning, "must never" focuses on obligation, and "cannot ever" focuses on capability.