Introduction to “Must Be”
The modal verb construction “must be” is a powerful expression in English used to convey strong certainty, logical deductions, and necessity. Unlike “might be” or “could be,” “must be” indicates near certainty (95-100%) or strong obligation. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, grammatical rules, usage with Hindi translations, and practice exercises.
Table of Contents
- Core Meanings & Uses of “Must Be”
- Grammatical Structures & Sentence Patterns
- 10 Practical Examples with Hindi Translations
- “Must Be” vs Similar Modal Verbs
- Common Errors & How to Avoid Them
- Practice Exercises (Test Yourself)
- Conclusion & Key Takeaways
1. Core Meanings & Uses of “Must Be”
“Must be” is used to express:
- Logical Certainty (तार्किक निश्चितता)
Example: She must be tired after working all day. (वह पूरा दिन काम करने के बाद थकी हुई होगी।) - Strong Necessity (मजबूत आवश्यकता)
Example: You must be quiet in the library. (आपको पुस्तकालय में शांत रहना चाहिए।) - Deductions (अनुमान)
Example: The lights are off – they must be sleeping. (लाइटें बंद हैं – वे सो रहे होंगे।)
2. Grammatical Structures
Sentence Formation Rules
Sentence Type | Structure | Example | Hindi Translation |
---|---|---|---|
Affirmative | Subject + must be + adjective/noun/present participle | He must be joking. | वह मजाक कर रहा होगा। |
Negative | Subject + must not be (mustn’t be) + adjective/noun | You mustn’t be late. | आपको देर नहीं करनी चाहिए। |
Interrogative | Must + subject + be + adjective/noun? | Must we be present? | क्या हमें उपस्थित रहना चाहिए? |
3. 10 Practical Examples with Hindi Translations
S.No | English Example | Hindi Translation |
---|---|---|
1 | You must be 18 to watch this film. | इस फिल्म को देखने के लिए आपकी उम्र 18 होनी चाहिए। |
2 | She must be at home – her car is here. | वह घर पर ही होगी – उसकी कार यहाँ है। |
3 | This must be your first visit to Delhi. | यह आपकी दिल्ली की पहली यात्रा होगी। |
4 | Students must be in uniform. | छात्रों को यूनिफॉर्म में होना चाहिए। |
5 | It must be difficult to work night shifts. | नाइट शिफ्ट में काम करना मुश्किल होगा। |
6 | Must all documents be submitted today? | क्या सभी दस्तावेज आज जमा करने होंगे? |
7 | The food must be kept refrigerated. | भोजन को फ्रिज में रखना चाहिए। |
8 | He must be the new manager. | वह नया प्रबंधक होगा। |
9 | Visitors must be accompanied by staff. | आगंतुकों को स्टाफ के साथ होना चाहिए। |
10 | This must be a mistake. | यह गलती होगी। |
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect: She must be comes early.
Correct: She must be coming early.
Incorrect: Must be we ready by 8?
Correct: Must we be ready by 8?
Incorrect: The door must be lock at night.
Correct: The door must be locked at night.
5. Practice Exercises
Section 1: Fill in the Blanks
- All passengers __________ seated during takeoff.
- She’s not answering – she __________ in a meeting.
- __________ all applications be typed?
- You __________ 21 to enter this club.
- The keys __________ in the drawer – I left them there.
Section 2: Hindi to English Translation
- आपको रिपोर्ट कल तक जमा करनी होगी।
- वह जरूर बहुत थका हुआ होगा।
- क्या हमें पासपोर्ट लाना होगा?
- यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण होगा।
- दवा हर 8 घंटे में लेनी होगी।
Section 3: Error Correction
- The package must be deliver by Monday.
- Must be we present at the meeting?
- He must be works late tonight.
- All bags must be check at security.
- She must be very tiring after the trip.
6. Conclusion
Mastering “must be” is essential for expressing strong certainty and necessity in English. Remember:
- Use for logical deductions and obligations
- Follow correct verb forms after “must be”
- Practice distinguishing from similar modals
For clarification on any examples, ask in the comments!