that he must

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that he must" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express necessity or obligation regarding a specific action that someone is required to take. Example: "He understands that he must complete the project by the deadline to meet the team's expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For that, he must thank his Tottenham team-mate Mousa Dembélé.

Independent

On top of that, he must hold the actual shares.

Forbes

After that, he must put it to a popular referendum.

BBC

To do that, he must rein in the conservatives in his party.

BBC

"There are a lot of other procedures that he must have to adhere to.

BBC

"For that he must resign".

Vice

Huck decides that he must betray Jim.

The New Yorker

And that he must be very smart.

The New York Times

I agreed that he must have.

The New Yorker

He replied that he must be.

The Guardian

US policy is that he must go.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that he must" to convey a sense of obligation or necessity, especially when emphasizing a formal requirement or strong expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "that he must" in overly casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "that he needs to" or "that he has to" sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that he must" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause that expresses obligation or necessity. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase commonly connects one idea to a required action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that he must" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be used to emphasize a required action. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When choosing alternatives, consider the subtle differences in emphasis and formality to best fit the intended message. Remember to use it judiciously in overly informal settings, opting for simpler options when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that he has to

Emphasizes obligation or requirement, similar to "that he must" but with a slightly less formal tone.

that he needs to

Indicates a need or requirement, often implying a slightly weaker sense of obligation than "that he must".

it's imperative that he

Highlights the critical importance of the action, making it more emphatic than "that he must".

it's essential that he

Stresses the necessity of the action for achieving a specific outcome, similar to "that he must" but more focused on the result.

it is required that he

Implies a formal or official requirement, often used in legal or procedural contexts, adding a layer of formality absent in "that he must".

he is obliged to

Highlights a sense of duty or commitment, presenting the action as an obligation, adding a layer of formality absent in "that he must".

he is compelled to

Suggests an external force or pressure driving the action, making it more forceful than "that he must".

he is bound to

Suggests a moral or legal obligation, often implying a sense of destiny or inevitability, adding a layer of formality absent in "that he must".

he is supposed to

Implies an expectation or agreement, which may be less forceful than the obligation suggested by "that he must".

he is slated to

Suggests the action has been scheduled or planned, implying a future action with a degree of certainty but less emphasis on obligation than "that he must".

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that he must"?

You can use alternatives like "that he has to", "that he needs to", or "it's essential that he" depending on the context.

Is "that he must" formal or informal?

The phrase "that he must" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives might be preferred in very casual settings.

How does "that he must" differ from "that he should"?

"That he must" implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity, whereas "that he should" suggests a recommendation or advice.

When is it appropriate to use "that he must" in writing?

Use "that he must" when emphasizing a requirement, duty, or obligation that someone faces. For example: "It is imperative "that he must" complete the task".