shall hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall hold" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate an obligation or requirement. Example: "The parties shall hold a meeting to discuss the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We shall hold him in our hearts forever.

The New York Times

The district judges shall hold office during good behavior.

Cornell University

Chuikov, in response, allegedly declared, "We shall hold the city or die here".

Encyclopedia Britannica

We shall hold them responsible for whatever might happen to Israeli citizens and Israeli residents".

The Guardian

Candidates for the Chairmanship shall hold at least the rank of a high commanding officer.

Yale University

Receiving Party shall hold and maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence for the benefit of the Disclosing Party.

The New Yorker

Acting as a surface which is supposed to tolerate several reloading of heavy axes, pavement shall hold enough resistance against failures.

Construction and Building Materials

The Constitution states that federal judges "shall hold their offices during good behavior" — which, practically speaking, means until they are removed by impeachment, die or resign.

The New York Times

Section 1 of Article III, for instance, confers life tenure on federal judges, saying they "shall hold their offices during good behavior".

The New York Times

Each director in each class shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

Harvard University

Except as provided in subsection (b) and after notice, the court shall hold a hearing on confirmation of the plan.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall hold" in formal writing, legal documents, or when conveying a strong sense of obligation or future intent. Ensure the subject has the authority or responsibility to perform the action.

Common error

Avoid using "shall hold" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or archaic. Opt for "will hold" or another suitable alternative in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall hold" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase, indicating obligation, future action, or possession. Ludwig AI confirms this, with numerous examples showing its use in legal, formal, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall hold" is a modal verb phrase primarily used to express obligation, future action, or possession, often with a formal tone. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly found in legal documents, academic writing, and news reports. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to consider the context and formality level when choosing this phrase. Alternatives like "will hold", "must hold", and "is to hold" may be more appropriate in certain situations. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively use "shall hold" to convey their intended meaning with precision and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will hold

Replaces "shall" with "will", another auxiliary verb indicating future action or intent. It is slightly less formal than "shall".

must hold

Indicates a stronger sense of obligation or necessity compared to "shall".

are required to hold

Explicitly states that holding something is a requirement.

are obligated to hold

Similar to 'are required to hold', but emphasizes the legally binding or moral imperative.

is to hold

Emphasizes a planned or scheduled action, often with a sense of official arrangement.

are to hold

Similar to "is to hold" but used with plural subjects.

undertake to hold

Implies a formal promise or commitment to hold something.

should hold

Suggests a recommendation or expectation rather than a strict obligation.

will maintain

Focuses on the act of keeping or preserving something over time.

will be responsible for

Shifts the focus to the responsibility associated with holding something.

FAQs

How to use "shall hold" in a sentence?

Use "shall hold" to express a formal obligation or future intent, such as "The committee "shall hold" a meeting next week" or "The receiving party "shall hold" the confidential information in strict confidence".

What can I say instead of "shall hold"?

You can use alternatives like "will hold", "must hold", or "is to hold" depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "shall hold" or "will hold"?

"Shall hold" is generally considered more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts to indicate a strong obligation or requirement. "Will hold" is more common in general usage to express future intent or prediction.

What's the difference between "shall hold" and "must hold"?

"Shall hold" implies a formal obligation or future action, often with an element of agreement or decree. "Must hold" indicates a stronger necessity or requirement, often due to a rule or compelling reason.