this must not be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this must not be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a strong prohibition or a sense of disbelief regarding a situation. Example: "This must not be the final decision." Alternative expressions include "this cannot be" and "this should not be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This must not be allowed.

The New York Times

This must not be forgotten.

Independent

This must not be allowed to happen.

The Guardian

"This must not be tolerated.

The Guardian

This must not be an afterthought.

The Guardian

"This must not be easy to you".

The New York Times

"This must not be for me.

The Guardian - Tech

This must not be watered down.

The New York Times

This must not be repeated now.

The Washington Post

This must not be allowed to happen again".

The Guardian

"This must not be done with any vengeance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this must not be", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or state is being prohibited or negated. Clarity enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "this must not be" in overly casual or informal settings where a simpler phrase would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this must not be" primarily functions as a modal construction expressing prohibition or strong negative necessity. It indicates that a particular state or action is unacceptable or should be avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this must not be" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey strong prohibition or negation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. It's crucial to ensure its use aligns with the desired tone, avoiding overuse in overly informal settings. Alternatives such as "this should not be" or "this cannot be" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this should not be

Replaces "must" with "should", softening the tone slightly while retaining the sense of prohibition.

this cannot be

Substitutes "must" with "cannot", indicating impossibility rather than prohibition.

this is not allowed

Offers a more direct and explicit prohibition.

this is unacceptable

Replaces the entire modal phrase with a direct adjective, conveying strong disapproval.

this is forbidden

Expresses a strict prohibition, often used in formal contexts.

this is prohibited

Uses a passive verb form to express that something is forbidden.

this is impermissible

A more formal way of saying something is not allowed.

this is out of the question

Indicates that something is entirely impossible or impermissible.

this is precluded

Suggests that something is prevented or made impossible.

under no circumstances

Emphasizes that something is not permissible, regardless of the situation.

FAQs

What does "this must not be" mean?

The phrase "this must not be" expresses a strong prohibition, indicating that something should not happen or exist. It's used to convey a sense of necessity that something is avoided.

When is it appropriate to use "this must not be"?

It is appropriate to use "this must not be" in formal writing, persuasive arguments, or situations where a strong directive is needed. It fits contexts where preventing something is crucial.

What can I say instead of "this must not be"?

You can use alternatives like "this should not be", "this cannot be", or "this is unacceptable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this must not be" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "this must not be" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "this isn't allowed" or "this shouldn't happen" in less formal contexts.