must side with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must side with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a necessity to support or align with a particular person, group, or idea in a discussion or argument. Example: "In this debate, I must side with those advocating for environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He must side with the former.

The Guardian - Opinion

I must side with her for similar reasons.

The New York Times

Menu semantics often raise the blood pressure of diners, but I must side with Mr. Gutenbrunner.

The New York Times - Food

It concedes that the judges must side with Mr. Bahlul at this stage because of the earlier ruling in the other case, but argues that the earlier ruling was wrong.

The New York Times

Since Platini holds one of the votes, and has said he will vote no, that means six of the other seven members must side with Blatter to ensure the testing continues.

The New York Times

"Do you realise Jim Morrison had his last three-way on this plane?" Perhaps to reveal myself as a tragic hippy, I must side with Fictional Gram Parsons when he describes the Joshua Tree like "wild silver and furious gold".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For the Robbins compleatist, they're both a must, side by side with Lawrence's.

The New York Times

Those men and women won her the Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries, and for the logic of her campaign to hold, they must again side with her in Indiana, where polls suggest the race could be tight.

The New York Times

Hence they can only be corrected by conscious reasoning, and in a conflict between reason and emotions, one must always side with the former.[6] The chief Objectivist virtues are rationality, integrity, honesty (with self and others), justice, independence, productiveness, and pride.

SEP

Chillingly, he does: even at a young age, he's aware that Assad's parents must have sided with the Pakistan authorities during the war of independence that raged for eight months in 1971.

The Guardian - Books

The sauce must be able to flow into any accompanying veg – veg which must be served sideby side with the pie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must side with", ensure the context clearly indicates why taking a side is necessary or justified. Providing a rationale enhances the persuasiveness of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "must side with" in situations where neutrality or compromise is more appropriate. Overstating the need to take a side can alienate others or undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must side with" functions as a phrasal verb expressing a strong obligation or necessity to support a particular entity or viewpoint. As shown by Ludwig, this indicates a clear alignment or endorsement is required.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must side with" is a phrasal verb indicating a strong obligation or necessity to support a particular entity or viewpoint. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While "must side with" is grammatically correct, it's crucial to consider the context to ensure its usage aligns with the intended message and audience. It is important to use the phrase judiciously, recognizing when neutrality or compromise is more fitting. Alternatives like "has to support" or "needs to align with" can be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to support

Replaces "must side with" with a more direct expression of obligation and support.

needs to align with

Indicates a requirement to agree or coordinate with a specific stance or entity.

is compelled to favor

Suggests an obligation or strong pressure to support one side over another.

is required to back

Emphasizes the necessity of providing support to a particular entity or cause.

should take the side of

Implies a recommendation or moral imperative to support a certain party.

ought to stand with

Suggests a moral obligation to support or defend a specific person or group.

is bound to support

Highlights a contractual or moral commitment to provide assistance or endorsement.

is obliged to advocate for

Emphasizes a duty to actively promote or defend a particular cause or group.

has no choice but to endorse

Suggests a lack of alternatives, necessitating the support of a specific entity.

is duty-bound to defend

Highlights a strong moral or legal obligation to protect and support a specific entity.

FAQs

How can I use "must side with" in a sentence?

Use "must side with" to express a strong need to support or align with a particular person, group, or idea. For example, "In this debate, I "must side with" those advocating for environmental protection."

What are some alternatives to "must side with"?

You can use alternatives like "has to support", "needs to align with", or "is compelled to favor" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "must side with"?

It is appropriate when there is a clear need to express your support for a particular side, often in situations involving disputes, debates, or decisions where choosing a side is essential.

What's the difference between "must side with" and "should side with"?

"Must side with" implies a stronger obligation or necessity, while "should side with" suggests a recommendation or moral imperative but not necessarily an absolute requirement. The former conveys a stronger sense of compulsion.