shall only be used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall only be used" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to specify that something is permitted exclusively for a particular purpose or under certain conditions. Example: "The funds shall only be used for educational purposes as outlined in the grant agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Under the guidance of the director [of the school's Quranic and Islamic Studies department], it shall only be used as a learning aid, not for entertainment and amusement purposes".

The Guardian

"Crowd control chemical agents shall only be used if other techniques, such as encirclement and multiple simultaneous arrest or police formations, have failed or will not accomplish the policing goal," the policy stipulates.

Huffington Post

We note however that these erroneous predictions are mostly inconsequential, as the intra-cluster topology of each dense region shall only be used in generating the initial candidate solutions for the genetic algorithm.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Republican legislators circulated a bill, which, as a Scientific American blog pointed out, stated that sea level "rates shall only be determined using historical data, and these data shall be limited to the time period following the year 1900".

Huffington Post

The diffuse reflectance multi-spectral imaging system used in this work has been described in detail elsewhere [ 6] and shall only be described here briefly.

Biomedical Optics Express

1Bobbleheads shall only be distributed if and when available and convenient.

TechCrunch

Summary of provisions which are legally binding on States which have ratified the instruments (paraphrased): Convention on the Rights of the Child:         o Deprivation of liberty shall not be unlawful or arbitrary and shall be used only as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time (Art.

Unicef

The convention requires that: The detention or imprisonment of a child shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Please acknowledge safe receipt and that the data will be held securely and shall be used only in accordance with the provisions of the Order," he added.

BBC

Compare this to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child of which Australia is a signatory, that states the detention of a child "shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time".

Vice

"In the case of children, Article 37 of the CRC, to which Nepal is a Signatory, clearly states that the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be used only as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shall only be used" in legal or formal writing, ensure the specific conditions or purposes are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "These data shall only be used for academic research purposes and not for commercial gain."

Common error

Avoid using "shall only be used" without specifying the boundaries of the permitted use. Omitting this detail can lead to misinterpretation. Instead of saying "This software shall only be used," specify "This software shall only be used by authorized personnel for internal data analysis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall only be used" functions as a restrictive modifier, limiting the application of something to a specific purpose or condition. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. Examples show it in contexts like regulations, instructions, and guidelines.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall only be used" is a formal construction used to impose a restriction on how something can be applied, as indicated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and typically appears in legal, official, and scientific contexts to ensure clarity and prevent misuse. While the phrase is uncommon, understanding its proper usage and potential alternatives helps writers communicate with precision and authority. Remember to specify the boundaries of the intended use to avoid ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must exclusively be used

Replaces "shall" with "must" and "only" with "exclusively", strengthening the obligation and exclusivity.

must be utilized solely

Replaces "used" with "utilized", adding a touch of formality, and "only" with "solely".

is to be used solely

Replaces "shall" with "is to" and "only" with "solely", offering a slightly less formal but equally restrictive tone.

can solely be utilized

Combines permission with exclusive utilization, making it suitable for policy-related contexts.

can be used exclusively

Changes "shall" to "can", indicating permission but still emphasizing exclusive use with "exclusively".

should only be employed

Substitutes "used" with "employed", suitable for contexts emphasizing a specific or deliberate application.

will exclusively be used

Replaces "shall" with "will", providing a statement of intent for exclusive usage.

is strictly for use

Rephrases the concept to highlight the strict limitation of use.

is limited to use

Focuses on the restricted nature of the usage.

is restricted to only be used

Restates with emphasis on "restricted to" illustrating the limitations of using something only for certain reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "shall only be used" in a sentence?

Use "shall only be used" to indicate that something is exclusively permitted for a particular purpose. For example, "The grant money shall only be used for research equipment."

What are some alternatives to "shall only be used"?

Alternatives include "must exclusively be used", "is to be used solely", or "can be used exclusively", depending on the desired level of formality and obligation.

Is "shall only be used" formal?

Yes, "shall only be used" is quite formal and often found in legal, official, or highly structured contexts. Less formal alternatives might be more appropriate for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "shall only be used" and "should only be used"?

"Shall only be used" indicates a strict requirement or obligation, while "should only be used" suggests a recommendation or best practice. The former is more forceful and less open to interpretation.