we shall be

USAGE SUMMARY

"we shall be" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is used to express a future action or state of being. You can use it in a variety of contexts, such as making a promise, expressing a plan, or stating a prediction. Example: "We shall be arriving at the airport at 2 PM tomorrow." (expressing a future plan) Example: "I promise to always love and support you, we shall be together forever." (making a promise) Example: "If we invest in renewable energy now, we shall be saving the planet for future generations." (stating a prediction).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We shall be wed".

The Guardian - Books

We shall be healthier for the verbs.

The New Yorker

"We shall be deeply indebted to you".

The New York Times - Sports

If we fight we shall be respected".

The New York Times

We shall be prepared for whatever happens".

Independent

We shall be welcomed as liberators!

The New Yorker

At last we shall be told.

The Economist

We shall be trying at seven.

The Guardian

We shall be here for ever.

The Guardian - Sport

We shall be resisting the plans.

The Guardian

Either way, we shall be the winners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "we will be" instead of "we shall be" in informal contexts as "will" is more commonly used to express future tense in modern English.

Common error

Avoid using "we shall be" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or archaic. Opt for "we will be" or "we're going to be" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we shall be" functions primarily as a future tense construction, indicating an action or state that will occur in the future. It uses the modal verb "shall" to express futurity, combined with the auxiliary verb "be". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we shall be" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate future actions or states. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and common. While "we will be" has largely replaced "shall" in modern informal usage, "we shall be" retains a formal and emphatic quality, suitable for declarations, promises, or contexts where a sense of tradition is desired. Our analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that this phrase is particularly frequent in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, suggesting a formal register. When writing, choose "we shall be" to convey formality and intention. Be careful when using it on casual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we will be

Uses "will" instead of "shall", making it less formal and more common in contemporary English.

we are going to be

Expresses a future intention or plan, often implying a degree of certainty or immediacy.

we're destined to be

Implies a sense of fate or inevitability regarding the future state.

it is our intention to be

A more formal way of expressing a planned future state or action.

we are slated to be

Indicates a future state or action that is officially scheduled or planned.

we're anticipated to be

Expresses an expectation or prediction about a future state, often based on certain conditions.

we're projected to be

Suggests a future state based on current trends and predictions.

we fully expect to be

Expresses a strong anticipation about a future state, indicating a high level of confidence.

we are to be

A more archaic construction, sometimes used to express obligation or destiny.

we should be

Indicates expectation, advisability, or likelihood regarding a future state.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "we shall be" instead of "we will be"?

"We shall be" is traditionally used for first-person future tense (I/we), expressing a strong intention, promise, or determination. However, in modern English, "we will be" is more common and generally acceptable in most contexts.

What does "we shall be" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "we shall be" implies a future state of being or a future action, often with a sense of formality, certainty, or obligation. It can also express a promise or a strong intention.

Are there any situations where "we shall be" is preferred over "we will be"?

While "we will be" is generally acceptable, "we shall be" can add a touch of formality or emphasis, making it suitable for formal speeches, legal documents, or when making a solemn promise. It might be used to evoke a sense of tradition.

What are some alternatives to "we shall be" that sound less formal?

Less formal alternatives to "we shall be" include "we will be", "we are going to be", or simply using the present continuous tense to indicate a future action, such as "we are".