shall be able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'shall be able' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone will have the ability to do something in the future, i.e. "Once this new software is installed, we shall be able to process orders more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Affected employees shall be able to review the testing results.

Cornell University

When I have finished perhaps I shall be able to get inside it.

The Guardian - Arts

"We shall be able to industrialize only when we have a Latin‐Ameri can market.

The New York Times

You shall be able to voice your opinion without fear of reprisal or victimisation.

The Guardian

Thus we shall be able to improve the demographic situation and increase budget revenues.

The New York Times

That way we shall be able to retain respect for ourselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, the algorithm shall be able to adapt itself to new circumstances by adapting the network and the system parameters.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Once again, it can only be at the end point of our philosophy that we shall be able to decide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I hope that, over time, we shall be able to engage in a larger degree of employee exchange.

Harvard Business Review

Digital television receivers shall be able to respond to changes in the content advisory rating system.

Cornell University

"I am waiting for the moment when I shall be able to say, 'to hell with Palestine'," he says.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be able" to express a future capability or possibility, particularly in formal or legal contexts. It indicates a future state of being equipped or permitted to do something.

Common error

Avoid using "shall" interchangeably with "will" in informal contexts. While "will" is generally acceptable for future tense, "shall" carries a more formal tone and is typically used with "I" and "we" to express determination or in legal obligations. Using "will be able" is more common in contemporary English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be able" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating future ability, capacity, or permission. It expresses that someone or something will possess the capability to perform a specific action at a later time. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be able" is a grammatically correct and common way to express future capability, most appropriately in formal or legal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates someone or something will have the capacity to perform an action in the future. While "will be able" serves as a more common alternative in contemporary English, "shall be able" retains its place in formal writing when emphasizing obligation or determination, especially with first-person pronouns. Its usage spans diverse sources, with particular prevalence in news media, scientific publications, and academic texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be capable of

Emphasizes a strong inherent capacity or aptitude.

will have the ability to

Highlights the possession of the necessary skills or resources.

will be in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances allowing the action.

will manage to

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve a result.

will be empowered to

Implies having been granted the authority or power.

will be entitled to

Indicates a right or privilege to perform the action.

will be equipped to

Stresses the provision of necessary tools or resources.

will gain the capacity to

Focuses on acquiring the ability over time.

will find it possible to

Highlights the feasibility of the action under certain conditions.

will stand a chance of

Expresses a possibility, but not a certainty.

FAQs

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

"Shall be able" is used to express future capacity or permission, particularly in formal contexts. For instance, "Upon completing the training, you "shall be able" to operate the machinery safely."

What's a less formal alternative to "shall be able"?

In less formal situations, you can use "will be able" or "can" to express the same idea. For example, instead of "We shall be able to assist you", you can say "We will be able to assist you" or "We can assist you".

Is "shall be able" interchangeable with "will be able"?

While they both indicate future ability, ""shall be able"" is more formal and traditional, primarily used with "I" and "we". "will be able" is more common and generally acceptable with all subjects in modern English.

When is it appropriate to use "shall be able" over "will be able"?

"Shall be able" is best used in formal writing, legal documents, or when expressing a strong sense of determination or obligation, and primarily with first-person pronouns ("I" and "we"). Otherwise, "will be able" is typically preferred.