shall be told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be told" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or literary contexts to indicate that something will be communicated or revealed in the future. Example: "The story of their adventures shall be told for generations to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At last we shall be told.

The Economist

Presumably then, we shall be told very little on the record.

The Guardian - Sport

"The tale is old that shall be told," he informs us, "but where does it belong: within?

The Guardian - Music

And when history is written, it shall be told that the GNR dream ended with an unedifying sit in - in which Axl tried to whip up a disinterested crowd into voicing outrage over the shortened set.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Inspired, Cunningham penned one of his own: "They shall be telling this with a sigh, / Somewhere ages and ages hence.

The New Yorker

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

The New York Times

It finished: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

The Guardian - Books

What tends to be forgotten is the barbed tangle of tenses at its close: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.

The New Yorker

What tends to be forgotten is the barbed tangle of tenses at its close: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.

The New Yorker

Truth be told, her character was -- shall we say -- a handful.

Huffington Post

In Genesis 3 16, Eve is told, "I shall greatly multiply thy pain and thy travail.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be told" in formal writing or when aiming for a literary or archaic tone. It is particularly fitting when referring to stories, histories, or prophecies.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be told" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in these settings; opt for more natural alternatives like "will be told" or "is going to be told".

Linguistic Context

Shall be told functions as a future passive construction. It indicates that a subject will receive the action of being told or narrated. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it is often used to emphasize the certainty or inevitability of a story or event being communicated in the future.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be told" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote that something will be communicated or revealed in the future. As noted by Ludwig, its formality makes it more appropriate for literary works, historical accounts, or formal speeches rather than everyday conversation. While correct, overuse in informal settings may sound unnatural. Consider using alternative phrases like "will be revealed" or "is going to be shared" to suit the context better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be revealed

Replaces 'shall' with 'will' and 'told' with 'revealed', making it less formal.

will be communicated

Substitutes 'told' with 'communicated', emphasizing the act of conveying information.

will be narrated

Replaces 'told' with 'narrated', focusing on the storytelling aspect.

is to be recounted

Emphasizes a formal and planned retelling of events.

is going to be shared

Uses a more informal and contemporary phrasing.

will come to light

Focuses on the eventual uncovering of information.

the story will unfold

Highlights the gradual revelation of a narrative.

the truth will be known

Emphasizes the eventual discovery of truth.

the facts will emerge

Focuses on the surfacing of factual information.

it will be made public

Highlights the act of disclosing something to a wider audience.

FAQs

What does "shall be told" mean?

The phrase "shall be told" indicates that something will be communicated or revealed in the future. It often carries a sense of formality or literary style.

When is it appropriate to use "shall be told"?

Use "shall be told" in formal contexts, such as historical narratives, legal documents, or when aiming for a heightened, literary tone. It's less suitable for casual conversation.

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

You can use alternatives like "will be revealed", "is going to be shared", or "will be communicated" depending on the context.

Is "shall be told" grammatically correct?

Yes, "shall be told" is grammatically correct. "Shall" is an auxiliary verb used to indicate future tense, particularly in formal or literary contexts. Ludwig confirms its correctness.