must only be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must only be" is correct and usable in written English.
It expresses a necessity - that some action must occur, and that no other action is acceptable. Example: All food must only be handled with clean hands.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that must only be the start of it.

The Guardian

The audience must only be seated in designated seating areas.

Columbia University

It must only be the beginning of a wider political change.

Independent

"Play must only be stopped if there's a serious injury," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

And we must only be generous to those that prove they are indeed our friends.

The New York Times

But it must only be used in the most exceptional circumstances.

The Guardian

All shots must be aimed shots and must only be fired in self-defence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Offsetting must only be used as a means of last resort.

The Guardian

To be creative, there must only be a modicum of creativity.

Harvard University

This vote must only be the start of an ongoing conversation about where power should lie in this country.

The Guardian

But Dennis, though this must only be whispered, was a young man of talent and a leader.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must only be" to clearly define limitations or strict requirements to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Access to the data must only be granted to authorized personnel".

Common error

Avoid using "must only be" when a simpler phrasing suffices. Overusing it can make writing sound overly formal or stilted. For instance, instead of "The report must only be submitted by Friday and must only be 5 pages", try "The report must be submitted by Friday and be 5 pages long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must only be" functions as a modal verb phrase. It indicates a strong obligation combined with a restriction. According to Ludwig, it expresses a necessity where no other action is acceptable. This function is evident across various examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must only be" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong obligation coupled with a strict limitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples spanning News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase is most frequently employed in formal and scientific writing, where precision is crucial. When using "must only be", be mindful of potential overuse and ensure it accurately reflects the intended restriction. Consider alternative phrasings such as "can only be" or "is limited to" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can only be

Highlights that something is permitted, but only under specific, limited circumstances.

is required solely to be

Strengthens the sense of obligation and limitation, adding emphasis to both aspects.

has to exclusively be

Conveys necessity with an added emphasis on the exclusive nature of the action or state.

should strictly be

Implies a strong recommendation or expectation, but slightly less forceful than a requirement.

may only be

Indicates permission or possibility, but with a restriction to certain conditions; weaker form of obligation.

can solely be

Indicates that something is possible or permissible only under specific conditions; the verb "can" replacing "must" softens the obligation.

is limited to being

Highlights the restricted nature of something, with a focus on the boundary or constraint involved.

is exclusively meant to be

Focuses on the intended purpose or design, limiting it to a specific function, emphasizing exclusivity.

is exclusively to be

Emphasizes that something applies only in a specific manner; omits "meant" for brevity.

is strictly required to be

Emphasizes strict adherence and necessity; changes the structure and wording for heightened formality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "must only be" to sound less formal?

Depending on the context, you can replace "must only be" with phrases like "can only be", "is limited to", or "should only be". For example, instead of "This form must only be completed by a supervisor", you could say "Only a supervisor can complete this form".

What does "must only be" imply in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "must only be" indicates a strict requirement or condition that is legally binding. It suggests that no other action or interpretation is permissible under the law. Always check the specific legal definition to correctly interpret a legal text.

Is there a difference between "must be" and "must only be"?

"Must be" indicates a necessity or strong probability, whereas "must only be" emphasizes that something is not just necessary but also exclusively limited to a particular condition or action. The addition of "only" adds a restriction. For example, "The door must be locked" vs. "The door "must only be locked" at night".

When is it appropriate to use "must only be" in writing?

Use "must only be" when you want to emphasize both the necessity and the exclusivity of an action or condition. It is appropriate when specifying strict limitations or requirements where no alternatives are acceptable.