it shall be

USAGE SUMMARY

"it shall be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a level of certainty, or to make a strong declaration. Example: "That is our destiny, and it shall be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is known as "fiat currency", from the Latin "it shall be".

BBC

So it shall be with our existence as human being.

Huffington Post

It shall be mine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It shall be so.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It shall be so," Mr. Hammond replies.

The New York Times - Tech

Borrow, and it shall be yours.

The New Yorker

All who celebrate it shall be ghosts.

The New Yorker

Section one: it shall be unlawful.

The Economist

And so Bibi it shall be again.

The New York Times

It shall be my grave.

The Guardian - Music

And it shall be good.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it shall be" to convey a strong sense of determination, inevitability, or formality. It adds a touch of emphasis that "it will be" might lack.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "it shall be" in informal contexts. It can sound stilted or unnatural in casual conversation. Consider using "it will be" or other less formal alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it shall be" functions as a declarative statement expressing a future action or state with a sense of certainty, obligation, or inevitability. It is often used to make promises, pronouncements, or formal statements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it shall be" is grammatically sound and widely used to convey certainty, determination, or inevitability regarding a future event. While found in various contexts, it is more common in formal settings like news articles and academic papers, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples. The phrase is considered correct by Ludwig AI, though writers should be mindful of its formal tone and avoid overuse in casual contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "so it will be" or "it is destined to be", can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so it will be

Replaces 'shall' with 'will', making it slightly less formal but retaining the sense of future certainty.

it will definitely be

Adds emphasis with the word 'definitely', strengthening the sense of certainty.

it is destined to be

Emphasizes the idea of a predetermined outcome, highlighting fate or destiny.

it is bound to happen

Focuses on the inevitability of the event, suggesting a strong likelihood of occurrence.

it is certain to occur

Highlights the certainty of the event, using more formal language.

that will come to pass

Emphasizes the eventual fulfillment of a prophecy or prediction.

it is going to be

A more informal alternative, conveying future certainty in everyday language.

that is the way it will be

Expands the phrase to provide more context and a sense of finality.

it must be

Implies necessity or a strong obligation, rather than pure certainty.

that is how it must be

Expresses a sense of obligation or necessity, rather than pure future certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "it shall be" in a sentence?

Use "it shall be" when you want to express certainty or determination about a future event. For instance, "That is our agreement, and "it shall be"." It is common to see in formal and legal documents.

What is the difference between "it shall be" and "it will be"?

"It shall be" often carries a stronger sense of determination, formality, or inevitability compared to the more neutral "it will be". "It shall be" is also often used in contexts like legal pronouncements or declarations of intent. It isn't always interchangeable in modern English.

What can I say instead of "it shall be"?

Alternatives include "so it will be", "it is destined to be", or "it is certain to occur", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it shall be" outdated or still in use?

"It shall be" is not outdated, but its usage is more formal and less common than "it will be". While still appropriate in certain contexts, like legal documents or declarations, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation.