you must chew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you must chew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when giving instructions or advice about the necessity of chewing food properly before swallowing. Example: "When eating tough meat, you must chew thoroughly to aid digestion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You must chew first.

The Economist

At nineteen dollars, it's the cheapest steak on the menu; to eat it, you must chew, and chew.

The New Yorker

You must chew, at least 10 times".

BBC

You must chew very consciously and with focus.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Must chew bubblegum at all times.

The Guardian - Film

Mr Jordan must chew gum during the game.The fans have reason to be excited, if not hysterical.

The Economist

Users must chew great wodges of the leaf, which loses its potency just a few days after being picked.

The Economist

Many wood borer adults must chew through solid wood to emerge, although the larva usually chews close to the surface of the tree, under the bark, before pupating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An adult squirrel's incisors never stop growing — they can grow as much as 10 inches per year — and the animals must chew constantly to keep them worn down.

The New York Times

Gerbils must chew to keep their teeth at a proper length.

WikiHow

Rodents' teeth grow continuously and they must chew to wear them down.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions related to food consumption or digestion, using "you must chew" emphasizes the importance of chewing for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

Common error

Avoid using "you must chew" in everyday conversation unless you are providing specific instructions or highlighting a crucial point about chewing. In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "remember to chew" or "chew properly" to convey the same message without sounding overly authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you must chew" functions as an imperative, specifically directing or instructing someone to perform the action of chewing. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the importance of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "you must chew" serves as a direct imperative, instructing someone to chew, often to ensure proper digestion or safety. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage. Primarily found in news, media, and wiki contexts, the phrase carries an instructional tone. When writing, consider using alternatives like "chew thoroughly" or "ensure you chew" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you have to chew

Offers a less formal alternative to "must", indicating obligation in a more relaxed manner.

ensure you chew

Emphasizes the act of ensuring that chewing takes place.

it is essential to chew

Replaces the direct imperative with a more formal and emphatic statement of necessity.

it's important to chew

Highlights the importance of chewing, softening the mandatory tone.

chewing is required

Shifts the focus to the action of chewing itself, framing it as a requirement.

thorough chewing is necessary

Emphasizes the importance of chewing thoroughly rather than just the act of chewing.

proper chewing is vital

Focuses on the quality of chewing, stating that proper chewing is vital.

chew thoroughly

A direct imperative, shortening the original phrase while maintaining its core meaning.

chewing is a must

Uses a noun phrase to emphasize the necessity of chewing.

one should chew

Offers a general recommendation about chewing, using a more impersonal tone.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "you must chew"?

Use "you must chew" when giving explicit instructions about how to consume food properly, especially when emphasizing the necessity of chewing for digestion or safety. It's also appropriate in contexts where emphasizing compliance is important.

What are some less formal alternatives to "you must chew"?

For more casual settings, consider using alternatives such as "you have to chew", "remember to chew", or simply "chew properly". These options convey the same message with a less forceful tone.

How does "you must chew" differ from "you should chew"?

"You must chew" implies a strict obligation or requirement, whereas "you should chew" offers a recommendation or suggestion. The former is more forceful and is used when there's a significant reason for chewing properly.

Can "you must chew" be used in contexts other than food?

While primarily related to food consumption, "you must chew" can be used metaphorically to suggest that something needs to be carefully considered or analyzed, similar to how food needs to be chewed. However, this usage is less common.