there shall only be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there shall only be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal or legal contexts to specify limitations or conditions regarding what is permitted or allowed. Example: "In this agreement, there shall only be one representative from each party present during negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He also pointed to a section of the code that read, "There shall only be one rank of policewomen within the Police Department".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cheques shall only be accepted on account of payment.

Springer

The Buyer shall only be entitled to return books.

Springer

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

TechCrunch

"There shall be only one front door permitted in all residence districts," reads a new law that went into effect this week.

The New York Times

In determining the period for which the taxpayer has held stock or securities acquired from a corporation by the exercise of rights to acquire such stock or securities, there shall be included only the period beginning with the date on which the right to acquire was exercised.

Cornell University

"We didn't finish the chances – but there shall be a time when we shall be finishing the chances.

The Guardian - Sport

In the case of a foreign corporation, there shall be taken into account only gross receipts which are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States.

Cornell University

There shall not be cake – The cake is a lie.

TechCrunch

There shall not be any difference in medical care.

Health Economics Review

Here the provision literally at any rate appears to mean only that there shall be no automatice stay by virtue of filing the petition in the Tax Court.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there shall only be", ensure the context clearly defines what the limitation applies to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there shall only be" in casual conversation or informal writing; it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like 'there can only be' or 'only one is allowed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there shall only be" functions as a restrictive expression, imposing limitations or exclusive conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal or legal contexts, as highlighted by the example from The New York Times regarding police regulations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there shall only be" is a formal phrase used to impose strict limitations or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal or legal contexts. While infrequent in everyday conversation, it is commonly found in legal, official, and academic documents. When a less formal phrasing is desired, alternatives like "there must be only" or "only one is permitted" can be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there must be only

Replaces 'shall' with 'must', indicating a strong obligation instead of a future intention.

only one is permitted

Indicates authorization for a single item, shifting from existence to permission.

there can only be

Substitutes 'shall' with 'can', suggesting possibility or permissibility under certain conditions.

just one can be

Emphasizes the limitation to a single item using 'just' and 'can'.

there is exclusively

Reorders the phrase to emphasize what exists exclusively.

only there will be

Inverts the sentence structure, emphasizing the exclusivity of the existence.

only one will exist

Focuses on the quantity and future existence, simplifying the structure.

exclusively there is

Uses 'exclusively' to highlight the unique existence, changing the verb tense.

a single one shall be

Rephrases to emphasize the singularity and future occurrence.

solely there exists

Employs 'solely' to denote uniqueness, with a more formal verb 'exists'.

FAQs

How to use "there shall only be" in a sentence?

Use "there shall only be" to impose a strict condition or limitation, typically in formal or legal contexts. For instance, "In this competition, there shall only be one winner."

What can I say instead of "there shall only be"?

You can use alternatives like "there must be only", "there can only be", or "only one is permitted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "there shall only be" or "there will only be"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "there shall only be" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "There will only be" is more common in everyday language.

Is "there shall be only" different than "there shall only be"?

While both convey a sense of limitation, "there shall only be" is the more commonly accepted and grammatically sound order. Reordering the words may sound awkward or archaic.