must surely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must surely be" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to express a strong belief or assumption about something being true or happening. Example: "After working hard for so many years, he must surely be feeling proud of his accomplishments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Erdogan must surely be wondering.

The Economist

The first view must surely be correct.

The New York Times

This must surely be a first.

The New York Times - Arts

He must surely be an admirable man.

The New York Times - Books

But these must surely be far-fetched.

The Guardian - Music

United's players must surely be confused.

The Guardian - Sport

Must surely be doing something wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

New York City must surely be St.

The New Yorker

Something else must surely be going on.

The Guardian - Film

That must surely be the vision for 2020.

The Guardian - Opinion

That must surely be true for most Afghans.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must surely be" when you want to express a strong belief or logical conclusion based on available evidence, but acknowledge a slight possibility of error.

Common error

Avoid using "must surely be" when the situation requires absolute certainty or verifiable fact. Choose phrases that reflect the actual level of evidence you possess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must surely be" functions as a modal expression used to convey a strong degree of certainty or logical inference. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase implies a high probability while acknowledging a slight possibility of error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must surely be" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong belief or deduction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in various sources, including news, academic texts, and general writing. While indicating confidence, it also implies a degree of uncertainty, making it suitable for situations where absolute certainty isn't guaranteed. When writing, it's crucial to avoid overstating facts and consider alternative expressions like "certainly is" or "very likely is" when a less assertive tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must certainly be

Emphasizes certainty more directly, reducing the element of assumption.

has to be

Indicates necessity or strong likelihood, often in a more informal context.

is undoubtedly

Expresses a lack of doubt, focusing on the proven nature of something.

is very likely to be

Uses explicit probability, making the expectation less assertive.

is bound to be

Implies inevitability, often based on a set of circumstances.

will definitely be

Stresses the sureness of a future event or state.

is assuredly

Conveys confidence and certainty, but can sound more formal.

should definitely be

Adds a layer of recommendation or expectation to the certainty.

is probably

Uses probability, making the expectation less assertive and more commonplace.

cannot be ruled out

Focuses on the possibility rather than the certainty, indicating an open consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "must surely be" in a sentence?

The phrase "must surely be" expresses a strong belief or assumption. For example, "Given his expertise, he "must surely be" the best candidate for the job."

What are some alternatives to "must surely be"?

Alternatives include "certainly is", "undoubtedly is", or "very likely is", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "must be" or "must surely be"?

"Must be" indicates a deduction or strong probability. "Must surely be" adds emphasis, conveying a heightened sense of confidence in the deduction. The choice depends on how strongly you want to express your belief.

What's the difference between "must surely be" and "should be"?

"Must surely be" expresses a strong belief that something is true, based on evidence. "Should be" indicates an expectation or recommendation. For example, "He "must surely be" tired after such a long journey" suggests you strongly believe he's tired. "He "should be" more careful" recommends a behavior change.