yes we shall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yes we shall" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a response to a question or statement, indicating agreement or confirmation. Example: "Do you want to go to the park today?" "Yes, we shall. It's a beautiful day for a picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Why, yes, we shall.

The New Yorker

Oh yes, we shall have tanks in the street.

The Guardian - Books

Yes we shall, utterly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yes, we shall be slurping down cocktails.

Columbia University

At the start, the commoners — bearing banners declaring "Yes We Shall" and various Occupy slogans — are rioting because Rome's patricians refuse to distribute stores of corn to the masses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And yes, since you ask, we shall miss the breasts.

Independent

I and my party said "yes, we wrote into the constitution, there shall be a form of affirmative action".

The Guardian

Friends we shall have, yes, but imperialists and colonialists no more.

The Guardian

The kids sang "We shall overcome" - Oh yes! along the route to the square we discovered to our horror that hundreds of other kids had joined them.

The Guardian

He misquotes the First Doctor's line "one day we shall get back... yes, one day" from An Unearthly Child as "one day we will get back", speaks the Third Doctor's line "reverse the polarity of the neutron flow", and speaks with the voices of the Fourth and Tenth Doctors (Tom Baker and David Tennant respectively), the former expressing that Doctor's fondness for jelly babies.

Wikipedia

"Ah, yes, tomorrow, when the lion shall lie down with the lamb, we shall beat our Oregons into automobiles and electric railways; but today it were well that we look to our Oregons and see that they may be many and efficient," he wrote.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yes we shall" to add a touch of formality and emphasis when agreeing to a proposition or stating an intention, particularly in situations where a more traditional tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "yes we shall" in very casual or modern settings, as it can sound stilted or out of place. Opt for more common affirmative responses like "yes, we will" or "sure" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yes we shall" primarily functions as an affirmative response, indicating agreement or confirmation. Ludwig confirms this use, and the examples show it responding to questions or proposals, solidifying its role as an expression of concurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yes we shall" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express agreement or commitment, with a somewhat formal tone. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and function as an affirmative response. While primarily found in News & Media, it is also present in Academic contexts. For more casual situations, alternatives like "yes we will" might be more appropriate. Remember that while grammatically valid and recognized across different registers, it's best used in neutral to formal communication where its traditional feel is a good fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indeed, we will

Replaces "shall" with "will", making it slightly less formal.

certainly, we will

Adds emphasis with "certainly" and uses "will" instead of "shall".

absolutely, we shall

Adds strong affirmation using "absolutely".

yes, we will definitely

Includes "definitely" to reinforce agreement.

of course, we shall

Uses "of course" to indicate obvious agreement.

surely, we will

Implies confidence or expectation.

we certainly shall

Emphasizes certainty by placing "certainly" before "shall".

without a doubt, we shall

Indicates a lack of uncertainty or hesitation.

yes, that's what we'll do

Shifts the phrasing to a more casual confirmation of intent.

yes, we intend to

Formally expresses intention to carry out an action.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "yes we shall"?

"Yes we shall" is appropriate in formal contexts or when aiming for a traditional tone. It's a strong affirmative response, indicating agreement or intent. Be mindful of the audience and setting, as it may sound overly formal in casual situations.

Are there less formal alternatives to "yes we shall"?

Yes, less formal alternatives include "yes we will", "sure we will", or simply "yes", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "yes we shall" grammatically correct?

Yes, "yes we shall" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English grammar rules for forming affirmative statements with the future tense. The use of "shall" is particularly common in British English.

What's the difference between "yes we shall" and "yes we will"?

"Yes we shall" and "yes we will" both express agreement or future intent. "Shall" is traditionally used with "we" in formal contexts, especially in British English, while "will" is more generally applicable across different registers and dialects.