must not make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must not make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a prohibition or something that is not allowed to be done. Example: "You must not make any unauthorized changes to the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labor must not make this error again.

The Guardian

Visiting children must not make excessive noise.

The New York Times

We must not make that mistake again.

The New York Times

You must not make such fake accusations.

The Guardian - Music

We must not make the same mistake in this parliament".

Independent

Mr Obama must not make the same mistake.

The Economist

We must not make the same mistake again.

The New York Times

They must not make further cuts to already stretched services.

The Guardian - Opinion

Congress and state legislatures must not make the same mistake.

The Washington Post

The rules must not make it too easy for firms to get relief from their creditors.

The Economist

Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev must not make the same mistake twice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must not make", ensure the context clearly indicates what action is being prohibited. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "must not make" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "don't" or "shouldn't" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must not make" functions primarily as a prohibitive construction, indicating something that is forbidden or strongly discouraged. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts, from rules and regulations to advice and warnings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must not make" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to indicate prohibition or strong discouragement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting its utility in setting rules, conveying important advice, or outlining potential consequences. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it should be used judiciously in informal settings, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When employing "must not make", ensure clarity in specifying the prohibited action to avoid ambiguity, and consider related phrases like "should not make" or "are not allowed to make" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is forbidden to make

Emphasizes that the action is strictly prohibited or disallowed.

are not allowed to make

Specifies that there is a rule or regulation forbidding the action.

must refrain from making

Emphasizes the act of holding back or abstaining from the action.

are required not to make

Indicates a formal requirement or obligation to avoid the action.

should not make

Changes the strength of the prohibition from a strong necessity to a recommendation.

it is imperative not to make

Highlights the critical importance of avoiding the action.

need to avoid making

Highlights the importance of preventing the action from occurring.

ought not to make

Adds a sense of moral obligation or advisability to the prohibition.

do not make

Presents a direct and simple command to avoid the action.

cannot make

Indicates an inability or impossibility, rather than a prohibition.

FAQs

How to use "must not make" in a sentence?

Use "must not make" to express a prohibition or strong recommendation against a particular action. For example, "You must not make any changes without authorization."

What can I say instead of "must not make"?

You can use alternatives like "should not make", "are not allowed to make", or "refrain from making" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "must not make" or "do not have to make"?

"Must not make" indicates a prohibition, while "do not have to make" indicates a lack of obligation. The correct choice depends on whether you want to forbid an action or simply state that it's unnecessary.

What's the difference between "must not make" and "cannot make"?

"Must not make" implies a rule or restriction, while "cannot make" indicates an inability to perform the action. For example, "You must not make noise in the library" (rule) vs. "I cannot make it to the meeting" (inability).