she must be

USAGE SUMMARY

"she must be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are making a conclusion or assumption based on the available evidence. For example: "She must be at the party - I saw her car parked outside the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She must be relieved.

The New York Times - Arts

She must be.

The New Yorker

She must be in".

Independent

She must be eighteen.

The New Yorker

– she must be unhappy?

Independent

"She must be thrilled".

The New York Times

How pleased she must be.

Independent

"She must be FANTASTIC.

The Guardian - Books

She must be spesh.

The Guardian - Music

"She must be taken".

The New York Times - Style

She must be frustrated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she must be" when drawing a logical conclusion based on available information, indicating a high degree of certainty or obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "she must be" when you are merely guessing or speculating without any solid evidence. Instead, use phrases like "she might be" or "it's possible that she is" to indicate uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she must be" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a deduction, inference, or strong likelihood. It's used to express a conclusion based on available evidence, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she must be" is a common and grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express a strong belief or deduction based on available evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While offering a high degree of certainty, remember to avoid overuse in speculative situations, opting for more tentative phrasing when evidence is lacking. Alternatives like "it's likely she is" or "she is probably" can be useful when less certainty is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's likely she is

Replaces the modal verb "must" with "likely", indicating probability rather than certainty.

it is probable that she's

Changes from a modal verb to an adjective to express probability.

it's essential that she be

Uses "essential" for a stronger emphasis on necessity, employing the subjunctive mood.

it is imperative that she is

Emphasizes necessity rather than a likely state.

she is undoubtedly

Expresses certainty about her state or condition.

it's clear that she's

Shifts the focus to the clarity or obviousness of the state.

it is vital that she exist

Similar construction but employs a word meaning being alive.

no doubt she is

Indicates certainty, removing any sense of speculation.

she definitely has to

Switches to an expression of obligation or necessity.

it's a given that she's

Implies that her state is a known or accepted fact.

FAQs

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

Use "she must be" to express a strong likelihood or deduction. For example, "She didn't answer her phone; "she must be" busy" suggests you've concluded she's busy based on her not answering.

What are some alternatives to "she must be"?

Alternatives include "it's likely she is", "she is probably", or "she is undoubtedly", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is "she must to be" grammatically correct?

No, "she must to be" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""she must be"". The modal verb "must" does not require the infinitive marker "to".

What is the difference between "she must be" and "she has to be"?

"She must be" implies a strong deduction or logical conclusion, while "she has to be" suggests an obligation or necessity. For example, "She must be tired after working all day" (deduction) vs. "She has to be at the meeting by 9 AM" (obligation).