there must be a back up plan vs there must be a plan-b

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'There must be a back-up plan' is a more formal and common way to express the idea of having an alternative plan in case the original one fails. On the other hand, 'There must be a plan B' is a more casual and colloquial way to convey the same meaning.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 719 views

there must be a back up plan

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a formal way to express the need for an alternative plan in case the original one fails.

Examples:

In case of bad weather, there must be a back-up plan for the outdoor event.
Always have a back-up plan in case things don't go as expected.
It's important to consider a back-up plan for any potential issues that may arise.
Having a back-up plan can help mitigate risks in uncertain situations.
Make sure there is a back-up plan for emergencies.

Show examples from the web [+]

There must be a back-up for his synaptic functions.
Emergency stop devices must be a back-up to other safeguarding measures and not a substitute for them.
This looks like a back-up plan.
Which is why I've got a back-up plan.
If England lose... I've got a back-up plan.
And the guy had no back-up plan.
Don't worry. I got a back-up plan.
I don't have a back-up plan.
I've got a back-up plan, so...
Well, we thought our d.A. Might punt, so we have a back-up plan.
He just said that even Houdini had a back up plan.
From this moment forward, we don't do anything without a back-up plan.
Good. 'Cause we will go with a back-up plan if she does not listen to reason.
I knew you would have a back up plan.
We also had a back-up plan, just in case.
The back up plan doesn't work.
Whatever, I'm your back-up plan.
Maybe date Joey, my back-up plan.
Europe can no longer afford to neglect its female human resources by treating women as a back-up plan to boost the workforce only when economic conditions dictate the demand.
We don't have a back-up plan, though, dad, and we need to be doing everything we can to save Greta.

Alternatives:

There must be a contingency plan.
There should be an alternative plan.
There needs to be a fallback plan.
There has to be a secondary plan.
There ought to be a reserve plan.

there must be a plan-b

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, but it is more casual and colloquial.

This phrase is a more informal way to express the need for an alternative plan in case the original one fails.

Examples:

If the first option doesn't work out, there must be a plan B.
Always have a plan B in case things go wrong.
It's good to have a plan B for unexpected situations.
Having a plan B can provide a safety net in case of failures.
Make sure there is a plan B for any contingencies.

Show examples from the web [+]

There must be a plan B...
Well, there must be a Plan B.
I think we need a plan B.
A plan B might not be necessary.
Some of us just had a plan B.
They had a plan B, too.
I really did not develop a plan B.
Or maybe you need a plan B.
We need a Plan B, brainy.
Amy, come up with a plan B.
Always got to have a plan B, Robby.
That's why you needed a plan B.
Second lesson, always have a plan B.
Good thing we had a plan B ready.
That's why we have a plan b.
Always important to have a plan B.
So plan B, always a plan B.
Always have a plan B, Dave.
The Financial Times recommends working out a Plan B here and now, which would sabotage the political efforts to conclude the Doha Round.
Generating the political will would require a Plan B for the EU itself.

Alternatives:

There must be a back-up plan.
There should be an alternative strategy.
There needs to be a fallback option.
There has to be a secondary solution.
There ought to be a reserve course of action.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

there must be a back up plan vs there must be a plan-b