Musts

Musts refer to things that are required or highly advisable. In English, must is a modal verb that expresses necessity or obligation, as in “You must wear a helmet.” As a noun, a must denotes a thing regarded as essential or required, and musts are multiple such items or obligations in a given context.

Usage notes: Must is strong and direct; its negative form is “must not” to express prohibition. It can also convey deduction in present tense, as in “She must be at work by now.” The construction “must have” expresses inference about a past event. Must differs from “have to” and “should” in nuance: external obligation versus internal decision or advice.

Contexts: In law and policy, must marks mandatory requirements; in business and product development, “must-haves” or “musts” identify essential features or criteria; in everyday planning or media, “the musts” describes items or experiences regarded as essential within a particular context.

Examples: The trip checklist includes the musts: passport, money, and tickets. Employees must submit the report by Friday. This feature is a must-have for the next release. A travel article might list the musts of a city, such as viewpoints and local cuisine.

Notes: The plural form musts is common when listing multiple obligations, though some writers treat must as a mass noun. In some legal texts, “shall” is used to convey obligation depending on the jurisdiction, with “must” signaling a strong regulatory requirement.