must repay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must repay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an obligation or requirement to return money or a favor. Example: "If you borrow money from a friend, you must repay them by the agreed date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Li must repay the high-interest loan in October.

The New York Times - Sports

And after five years, borrowers must repay the entire balance.

The New York Times

Portugal must repay more than €12 billion in the first half of 2011.

The New York Times

A minority of candidates, with leftover money or inadequate records, must repay funds.

The New York Times

During 2015 Russia's firms must repay $100 billion-worth of foreign debt.

The Economist

Should 38 Studios fail, Rhode Island taxpayers must repay any outstanding debt.

The New York Times - Arts

Lower ratings typically result in higher interest rates – increasing the amount municipal borrowers must repay investors.

University of California, Berkeley

"If you sell in the first five years you must repay any tax relief," Khalaf says.

The Guardian - Money

Yet if the periphery must repay its debts, cheaper rates will make the job easier.

The Guardian

She must repay the grocer the face value of the stolen tickets.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is their parents who must repay their bills at the end of the day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must repay", ensure the context clearly defines what is being repaid (e.g., money, debt, favor) and to whom. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "must repays" instead of "must repay" with singular subjects. The modal verb "must" doesn't change form based on the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must repay" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation. According to Ludwig, it is used to express a necessity or requirement to return money or settle a debt. Examples show it applying to individuals, companies, and even governments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must repay" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong obligation to return something, typically money or a debt. As Ludwig AI indicates, it frequently appears in contexts ranging from news reports to academic discussions. When using "must repay", ensure that the subject, object, and recipient of the repayment are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While "must repay" indicates a firm obligation, alternatives like "is obliged to return" or ""should repay"" offer variations in formality and strength of the obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is obliged to return

Replaces "must" with a more formal phrasing, emphasizing the binding nature of the obligation.

is required to reimburse

Replaces "repay" with the more formal "reimburse", implying a return of funds already spent.

has a duty to pay back

Substitutes "repay" with "pay back", adding "duty" to stress the moral or legal imperative.

is liable to refund

Emphasizes legal or contractual responsibility using "liable" and replaces "repay" with "refund", implying a return of money.

needs to pay off

Uses a phrasal verb, "pay off", which is slightly more informal than "repay" and often refers to debts.

is accountable for settling

Highlights responsibility and the act of resolving a debt or obligation.

is compelled to remit

Replaces "must" with "compelled" and "repay" with "remit", both indicating a strong sense of obligation or requirement.

is bound to settle

Indicates a formal agreement to resolve a debt or obligation, using "bound" and "settle".

is on the hook to return

Employs a colloquial expression, "on the hook", emphasizing responsibility, and uses "return" as a general term.

is slated to recompense

Uses "slated" to indicate a scheduled repayment and replaces "repay" with "recompense", suggesting compensation.

FAQs

How do I use "must repay" in a sentence?

Use "must repay" to indicate a strong obligation to return something, typically money or a debt. For example, "The loan requires that you "must repay" the full amount within five years."

What are some alternatives to "must repay"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is obliged to return", "has a duty to pay back", or "is required to reimburse", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "must repay" or "has to repay"?

"Must repay" implies a stronger obligation than "has to repay". "Must" often suggests a legal or moral imperative, while "has to" can indicate a general requirement. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "must repay" and "should repay"?

"Must repay" indicates a firm obligation with potentially serious consequences for non-compliance. "Should repay" suggests a recommendation or expectation, but it doesn't carry the same weight of necessity. The phrase "should repay" is less forceful.