shall be bought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be bought" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an instance of the subjunctive mood, which is used to express something that is contrary to fact or reality (e.g., wishes, demands, suggestions, or predictions). For example: "If I had the money, a new car shall be bought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The corporation records of Boston, Lincolnshire, have the following entry for the year 1578: That a dictionary shall be bought for the scholars of the Free School, and the same book to be tied in a chain, and set upon a desk in the school, whereunto any scholar may have access, as occasion shall serve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That a dictionary shall be bought for the scholars of the Free School, and the same book to be tied in a chain, and set upon a desk in the school, whereunto any scholar may have access, as occasion shall serve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So I shan't be buying many of those.

The Guardian

Now, I shan't be buying any such cosmetic items, but that's just because I'm viciously anti-microtransactions.

TechCrunch

2 Subdivision (b) provides that the use tax shall not be laid unless the property has been bought at retail.

Cornell University

I started buying last week, and I shall be looking to buy over the next few days.

The Guardian

[photopress:NvidiaBottle_080605.jpg,full,left]The makers of many a fine GPU, whom we shall call NVIDIA, yesterday announced it was buying AGEIA, a company centered around physics engines for games.

TechCrunch

The Code of 1648 codified the prohibition such: "It is ordered by Authoritie of this Court; that no person whatsoever shall henceforth buy land of any Indian, without licence first had and obtained of the General Court: and if any shall offend heerin, such land so bought shall be forfeited to the Countrie".

Wikipedia

Nevertheless, it has decreed that people who are not old enough to drive, drink, vote or to have ever bought a CD shall be called the Founders.

Independent

Leviticus Chapter 25, verse 44 states, "Both thy bondmen and thy bondmaids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are around you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids".

Huffington Post

In conclusion, I think that Jo Cotterill is an amazing author and I shall be very upset if there is no sequel; when there is, I shall be first in line to buy it!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be bought" in formal writing or legal contexts where you want to convey a sense of obligation or determination regarding a future purchase.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be bought" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for "will be bought" or "is going to be bought" to sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be bought" functions as a passive construction in the future tense, indicating that something will be acquired or purchased. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be bought" is a grammatically sound construction used to express a future acquisition, particularly in formal or legal contexts. While Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare in contemporary English, with "will be bought" being a more common alternative. Its usage tends to be concentrated in formal writing, news reports, and academic texts. When employing this phrase, consider the level of formality required and whether a more modern alternative might be more appropriate for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be purchased

Replaces "shall" with "will", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative for expressing future action.

is to be acquired

Emphasizes the planned or intended nature of the acquisition.

will be obtained

Focuses on the act of gaining possession, rather than the monetary transaction.

is scheduled for purchase

Highlights that the purchase is part of a plan or schedule.

must be procured

Implies a necessity or requirement for the purchase.

should be acquired

Suggests a recommendation or advisability of the purchase.

is going to be bought

Uses a more conversational and less formal way to express future purchase.

is set to be purchased

Indicates a firm plan or arrangement for the purchase.

will have to be bought

Expresses a need or obligation for the purchase to occur.

is required to be purchased

Emphasizes a formal requirement or regulation necessitating the purchase.

FAQs

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

Use "shall be bought" to indicate a future purchase with a degree of formality or obligation. For example, "A dictionary "shall be bought" for the school."

What is a more common alternative to "shall be bought"?

A more common alternative is "will be bought". "Shall" is less frequently used in modern English, especially in American English.

When is it appropriate to use "shall" instead of "will"?

"Shall" is typically used in formal contexts or to express a strong assertion or determination, particularly in British English. In American English, "will" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "shall be bought" and "is to be bought"?

"Shall be bought" implies a stronger sense of obligation or certainty, while "is to be bought" simply indicates a future plan or intention.