will be shelved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be shelved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a project, idea, or item will be put aside or postponed for future consideration. Example: "Due to budget constraints, the new marketing campaign will be shelved until next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Others will be shelved, or in the case of nonprofits, receive more private financing.

The New York Times

Jesse and Caitlin said that after decades of disappointments they worry that their mother's case will be shelved again.

The New York Times

Non-urgent tasks will be shelved until a deal is reached and the money starts to flow again.

The Economist

If those fine words flying around Lima mean anything, then at least these two projects will be shelved.

The Guardian

The environment secretary used her statement to announce three steps: The consultation on selling off forests will be shelved.

The Guardian

If they fail and the synod fails to vote by a two-thirds majority for the measure, the legislation will be shelved until 2015.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I'll be shelving or looking for a book for a customer and hear Italian or Spanish coming from her as she sits and reads to the other customers, unbidden.

The Guardian - Books

His début album with Warner Music, "God Willing," was shelved.

The New Yorker

But that timetable will probably be shelved until the authority's appeal is heard.

The New York Times

The proposal will likely be shelved next week if no I.R.A. pledge emerges.

The New York Times

Let's hope that means last year's notion of circumventing the civil courts, even as refined today, will quietly be shelved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be shelved" when you want to convey that a project, idea, or plan is being put aside, either temporarily or permanently, due to lack of resources, changing priorities, or other unforeseen circumstances. This implies a more passive abandonment than outright cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "will be shelved" when the intention is to communicate a definite and irreversible end to something. "Cancelled" indicates a final decision not to proceed, whereas "will be shelved" leaves open the possibility of revisiting the project later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be shelved" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject (project, plan, idea) will be put aside, either temporarily or permanently. As Ludwig AI confirms, the construction is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express the fate of projects, consultations, and even lawsuits.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be shelved" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a project, plan, or idea is being put aside, either temporarily or permanently. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, mostly in the news and media sector. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it's important to differentiate its meaning from "will be cancelled", as "shelved" implies a possibility of future revival. Alternatives like "will be postponed" or "will be suspended" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be postponed

Emphasizes a delay to a later time, rather than a complete abandonment. A focus on delaying something rather than shelving it permanently.

will be put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension, implying a possible future resumption. It shifts the focus to pausing instead of a permanent shelving.

will be suspended

Highlights a temporary removal or cessation, often due to specific circumstances. This option is more formal and focuses on a temporary stop.

will be deferred

Indicates postponement to a later date, often in a formal or official context. It's more formal that 'will be postponed'.

will be abandoned

Implies a complete cessation or relinquishment of the project or idea. It conveys a sense of termination of a project or idea.

will be scrapped

Indicates that something will be completely discarded or cancelled. It's very strong and definitive, implies there is no return.

will be terminated

Highlights a formal ending or cessation, often used in business or legal contexts. A strong implication of a final ending.

will be cancelled

Indicates that an event or plan will not take place. Emphasizes a complete and final cessation.

will be set aside

Suggests reserving something for later or a different purpose. It presents a reservation approach rather than termination.

will be archived

Implies preserving something for historical or record-keeping purposes, removing it from active use. More about storing something for the future rather than killing it now.

FAQs

How can I use "will be shelved" in a sentence?

You can use "will be shelved" to indicate that a project, idea, or plan is being postponed or put aside for future consideration. For example, "Due to budget constraints, the project "will be shelved" until next year".

What are some alternatives to "will be shelved"?

Some alternatives include "will be postponed", "will be suspended", or "will be deferred", depending on the context and the intended meaning.

Is "will be shelved" formal or informal?

"Will be shelved" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, alternatives like ""will be deferred"" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "will be shelved" and "will be cancelled"?

"Will be shelved" implies a temporary or indefinite postponement, suggesting the possibility of revisiting the matter later. "Will be cancelled", on the other hand, indicates a permanent decision not to proceed with something. Using "will be cancelled" emphasizes finality, while "will be shelved" implies a potential future revival.