must supply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must supply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a requirement or obligation to provide something. Example: "All participants must supply their contact information before the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must supply it with important information.

The Guardian - Money

The group, of course, must supply the fans.

The New York Times

The reader must supply what he does not understand.

The Guardian - Books

(For breast enlargements, patients must supply their own implants).

The New Yorker

This is a family newspaper, so you must supply your own jokes here.

The New York Times

These moments are the data for which faith must supply a hypothesis.

The New Yorker

If one does not understand it so well, he must supply an incomplete model for explanation.

The New Yorker

To answer according to the rules of grammar, we must supply a noun, a thing.

The New York Times

The respondents must supply a written proposal that details their candidates' worthiness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Riviera Maya will provide the drink setups but not the alcohol, which you must supply).

The New York Times

In these cases the reactor must supply heat in order to maintain a practical reaction rate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must supply", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being supplied and to whom or what it is being supplied. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "must supply" in overly casual situations where a more relaxed phrasing like "needs to give" or "has to provide" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must supply" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating an obligation or necessity to furnish something. This construction emphasizes a requirement, as seen in examples from Ludwig where entities or individuals are compelled to provide specific items or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must supply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that signifies a requirement to provide something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content, generally maintaining a professional tone. While alternatives exist, such as "is required to furnish", the choice depends on the specific nuance and formality desired. When employing "must supply", ensure clarity regarding what is being supplied and to whom, while avoiding overuse in excessively informal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to furnish

Changes the verb to "furnish" making it slightly more formal while maintaining the meaning of providing something necessary.

is obligated to provide

Replaces "must supply" with a more explicit phrase emphasizing obligation.

is essential to give

Highlights the critical importance of providing something.

is bound to deliver

Suggests a formal agreement or commitment to provide something.

is compelled to offer

Emphasizes a strong external pressure or force to provide something.

has to contribute

Implies providing a share or part of something necessary.

is duty-bound to yield

Implies a moral or ethical obligation to provide something.

needs to allocate

Focuses on setting aside or designating resources.

is expected to yield

Suggests a certain expectation or anticipation about the provision of something.

should allocate

Less forceful than "must", suggesting a recommendation or expectation.

FAQs

How to use "must supply" in a sentence?

The phrase "must supply" indicates a requirement or obligation to provide something. For example, "Applicants "must supply" their licenses with their applications" means it's mandatory for applicants to provide their licenses.

What can I say instead of "must supply"?

You can use alternatives like "is required to furnish", "is obligated to provide", or "has to contribute" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "must supply" or "should supply"?

"Must supply" indicates a strict requirement, while "should supply" suggests a recommendation or expectation. The choice depends on whether the provision is mandatory or merely advisable.

What's the difference between "must supply" and "must provide"?

While "must provide" and ""must supply"" are very similar, "must supply" often implies providing something tangible or specific, whereas "must provide" can be more general. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.