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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
shall be read
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "shall be read" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to talk about something that will happen in the future. For example: The instructions for the assignment shall be read by all students before the test.
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
12 human-written examples
(a) The Indictment shall be read in court.
Academia
The QP shall be read by three faculty members (one being the advisor, and the other two either assigned by the advisor or by the Area Chair).
Academia
Any references in paragraphs (2) through (11) of section 34 d) of the Trademark Act to section 32 of such Act shall be read as references to section 501 of this title, and references to use of a counterfeit mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods or services shall be read as references to infringement of a copyright.
Academia
(b) The permittee shall comply with the site-specific terms of the permit except that references to provisions of the Tennessee State program shall be read to require compliance with the relevant provisions of this part.
Academia
All applications submitted under this subchapter by Hispanic-serving institutions shall be read by a panel of readers composed of individuals who are selected by the Secretary and who include individuals representing Hispanic-serving institutions.
Academia
The Articles of War must be read to every soldier at the time of his call to service or within six days thereafter and shall be read and explained once every six months thereafter.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
48 human-written examples
"We shall be reading Fast Track [Brûlé's Financial Times column] with interest this Saturday, just in case he thanks his Twitterati".
News & Media
"What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be," reads the accompanying plaque.
News & Media
As for novels, I shall be reading James Robertson's Professor of Truth, a controversial fictionalisation of the Lockerbie issue that has haunted the Scottish legal system for some time.
News & Media
We are merely speculating, in a spirit of pure scientific research, on just what these people are going to do now, and what effect their futures will have on the newspapers we shall all be reading for the next year.
News & Media
What shall we all be reading tomorrow?
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "shall be read" in formal contexts such as legal documents or instructions, ensure that the subject is clearly defined and that the context emphasizes the mandatory or intended nature of the reading.
Common error
Avoid using "shall be read" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more natural alternatives like "will be read" or "needs to be read" to maintain a conversational tone.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "shall be read" functions primarily as a passive future construction, indicating that the subject will receive the action of reading. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples illustrate its use in formal declarations, legal stipulations, and procedural instructions.
Frequent in
Academia
41%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
8%
Less common in
Science
8%
Wiki
2%
Reference
8%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "shall be read" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily functioning as a passive future construction indicating that something will undergo the action of reading. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in academic and news contexts, with a formal tone, often used to convey obligation or formal expectations, as highlighted by the examples provided. While correct, it's crucial to consider the register and opt for alternatives like "will be read" in less formal settings to maintain an appropriate tone.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
will be read
Replaces "shall" with "will", altering the tone from formal to more neutral while maintaining the future tense and passive voice.
must be read
Substitutes "shall" with "must", emphasizing obligation or requirement rather than a simple future action.
should be read
Replaces "shall" with "should", suggesting a recommendation or advisability for the action of reading.
is to be read
Rephrases with "is to be", indicating a plan or arrangement for something to be read.
is required to be read
Adds "is required to be", strongly emphasizing the necessity of reading something.
needs to be read
Uses "needs to be" instead of "shall be", indicating a requirement or necessity in a more informal tone.
has to be read
Substitutes with "has to be", presenting a more casual way to express obligation or necessity.
is going to be read
Employs "is going to be", creating a less formal future tense and passive construction.
will have to be read
Adds "have to", indicating a future obligation to read something.
ought to be read
Uses "ought to be", expressing a moral obligation or advisability for something to be read.
FAQs
How to use "shall be read" in a sentence?
Use "shall be read" to indicate a future action, especially in formal or legal contexts. For example, "The terms and conditions "shall be read" aloud before signing the contract."
What can I say instead of "shall be read"?
You can use alternatives like "must be read", "should be read", or "is to be read" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "shall be read" or "will be read"?
"Shall be read" is more formal and often used in legal or official documents. "Will be read" is more common in general usage to indicate a future action.
What's the difference between "shall be read" and "must be read"?
"Shall be read" indicates a formal expectation or intention, whereas "must be read" emphasizes a strong obligation or requirement. "The instructions shall be read" implies it's part of a procedure, while "The instructions must be read" stresses the necessity of reading them.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested