shall be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate a future obligation or requirement. Example: "All employees shall be required to attend the training session next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There shall be SmorgasBar.

The New York Times

"You shall be, too".

The New Yorker

The burial shall be private.

The New York Times

There shall be a war.

The New Yorker

I shall be in Normandy.

Independent

"The last shall be first".

The New Yorker

I hope I shall be.

The New Yorker

I shall be very interested.

The New Yorker

He shall be sorely missed".

Independent

I shall be that girl".

The New York Times - Books

And food there shall be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "shall be" to evoke a sense of tradition or formality. It can add a distinctive tone to narratives or poetry.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for "will be" or "is going to be" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be" primarily functions as an auxiliary verb phrase used to express future tense with a sense of obligation, determination, or formality. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently seen in News and Media, emphasizing its role in delivering statements or commitments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used auxiliary verb phrase. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across various authoritative sources, especially in News & Media and Science. Although "shall be" is correct, its formal tone may not be appropriate in all contexts. As Ludwig points out, the phrase is best suited for expressing future tense with obligation or formality. Alternatives like "will be" or "is going to be" might be better choices for more informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be

Replaces "shall" with the more common auxiliary verb "will", making the phrase less formal.

is going to be

Uses a more informal construction to express future intention or prediction.

is to be

Indicates a formal or official arrangement or plan.

must be

Indicates a requirement or obligation, implying necessity.

should be

Expresses a recommendation or expectation.

is destined to be

Suggests a future outcome that is predetermined or inevitable.

is anticipated to be

Expresses an expectation or prediction about a future state.

is slated to be

Indicates that something is scheduled or planned for the future.

is bound to be

Implies a high probability or certainty about a future event.

is projected to be

Uses a more formal and predictive tone, often in statistical or analytical contexts.

FAQs

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

"Shall be" is traditionally used in formal contexts to express a duty or requirement, while "will be" is a more general way to express future tense. In modern English, "will be" is often preferred in most contexts, making "shall be" less common outside of legal or formal writing.

How to use "shall be" in a sentence?

Use "shall be" to indicate a future obligation or formal intention. For example, "The payment "shall be made" within 30 days" or "The meeting "shall be held" next week".

What can I say instead of "shall be"?

You can use alternatives like "will be", "is going to be", or "must be" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "shall be"?

It is most appropriate to use "shall be" in legal documents, formal agreements, or when trying to create a traditional or formal tone. In general conversation, "will be" is usually a better choice.