must not go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must not go" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a prohibition or strong recommendation against going somewhere or doing something. Example: "You must not go to that area after dark due to safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes, the show must not go on.

The New York Times - Sports

Such crimes must not go unpunished.

The Guardian

You must not go upstairs.

The Guardian - Books

It must not go unpunished".

The Guardian

Their sacrifices must not go unsung.

The Guardian - Opinion

This attack must not go unanswered.

The New York Times

This cannot and must not go on.

The New York Times

But terrorism must not go unpunished?

The Guardian

Great shows must not go uncelebrated.

The New York Times - Arts

"You must not go through with this.

The Guardian - Books

But, he added, "It must not go on without end".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must not go" to convey a strong sense of prohibition or inadvisability. It's more forceful than "should not go" and implies serious consequences if ignored.

Common error

Avoid using "must not go" in everyday, informal situations where a softer recommendation is more appropriate. Opt for "should not go" or "can't go" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must not go" functions as a prohibitive expression, used to indicate that an action or movement is forbidden or strongly discouraged. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI which states that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must not go" is a strong and direct way to express prohibition or discouragement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the level of formality and the desired degree of emphasis, as options like "cannot go" or "should not go" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Remember to reserve "must not go" for situations where a firm restriction is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not go

Direct and immediate prohibition.

cannot go

Indicates impossibility or lack of ability to go.

may not go

Specifies a lack of permission to go.

is not allowed to go

Indicates a lack of permission or authorization.

is forbidden to go

Emphasizes a formal prohibition against going.

should not go

Suggests a strong recommendation against going.

is advised not to go

Offers a cautionary recommendation.

has to stay

Indicates a requirement to remain, preventing going.

is obligated to stay

Highlights the obligation to remain, implying not going.

is essential to stay

Emphasizes the necessity of staying, contrasting with going.

FAQs

How can I use "must not go" in a sentence?

The phrase "must not go" is used to express a strong prohibition or warning. For example, "You "must not go" near the edge of the cliff" or "This information "must not go" public".

What's a more formal alternative to "must not go"?

A more formal alternative could be "is forbidden to go" or "is not permitted to go", which are often used in official or legal contexts.

What's the difference between "must not go" and "should not go"?

"Must not go" indicates a strict prohibition, whereas "should not go" suggests a strong recommendation against it, but with less force.

Are there situations where it's better to use "cannot go" instead of "must not go"?

Yes, use "cannot go" when indicating an inability to go due to external circumstances or limitations, rather than a prohibition. For example, "I cannot go because I have to work" instead of "I "must not go" because it's against the rules".