shall be wed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be wed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or literary contexts to indicate that two people will be married in the future. Example: "On the first day of spring, they shall be wed in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We shall be wed".

The Guardian - Books

I shall be wed after all".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are to be wed.

The Guardian - Books

They were to be wed!

The Guardian - Books

We must be wed as you promised".

The Guardian - Books

We can't be wed after all".

The Guardian - Books

However we would advocate that improvements in therapeutics must be wed to improvements in diagnostics availability.

BMC Infectious Diseases

They were wed September 8 , 1951

The New York Times

They were wed on Samhain.

The New York Times

They were wed in 1973.

The Guardian

She was wed at fourteen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be wed" in contexts where a formal, literary, or somewhat archaic tone is desired, such as historical fiction or ceremonial announcements.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be wed" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more common alternatives like "will get married" or "are going to be married" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be wed" functions as a future passive construction, indicating that a marriage ceremony will happen to two people. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, typically in formal or literary contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be wed" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote a future marriage. Ludwig AI indicates it is appropriate in formal or literary contexts, signaling a blend of tradition and planned action. While "shall be wed" isn't commonly used in modern, everyday language, it maintains relevance in settings where formality is paramount. It's important to consider your audience and the tone you wish to convey when choosing between "shall be wed" and more contemporary alternatives like "will get married".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are to be married

Similar in formality but replaces "shall" with "are to", which is slightly less archaic.

will get married

Replaces "shall be" with the more common "will get", making it less formal.

are set to marry

Implies a scheduled or planned event.

are going to be married

Uses a more contemporary and common expression for future plans.

are planning to wed

Focuses on the planning stage of the marriage.

will be united in marriage

Emphasizes the union aspect and sounds more ceremonial.

will become husband and wife

Highlights the change in status after the marriage.

will exchange vows

Focuses on the act of vowing, highlighting the commitment aspect.

will tie the knot

An idiomatic expression meaning to get married, less formal.

will plight their troth

An archaic phrase that means 'to promise to marry', very formal and literary.

FAQs

How to use "shall be wed" in a sentence?

Use "shall be wed" to indicate a future marriage, typically in formal or literary contexts. For example, "On the first day of spring, they "shall be wed" in a beautiful ceremony."

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

You can use alternatives like "will get married", "are going to be married", or "are to be married" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shall be wed" or "will be wed"?

Both "shall be wed" and "will be wed" are grammatically correct, but "shall be wed" is more formal and less common in modern usage. "Will be wed" is a more widely accepted and neutral alternative.

What's the difference between "are to be married" and "shall be wed"?

"Are to be married" and "shall be wed" both indicate a planned future marriage. However, "shall be wed" carries a stronger sense of formality and is often used in literary or traditional announcements, while "are to be married" is slightly less formal.