Will Be vs. Shall Be — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 7, 2023

"Will Be" typically indicates a future action or state, whereas "Shall Be" is a more formal, often obligatory future indication, now less common in everyday American English.

Difference Between Will Be and Shall Be

Table of Contents

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

On the other hand, "Shall Be" carries a nuance of formality and sometimes suggests an obligation or determination. Historically, "shall" was used more broadly for the future tense, but in modern American English, it has a tone of formality or emphasis. A statement like "There shall be justice" doesn't just predict the future; it asserts a strong intention or mandate.

Oct 07, 2023

Furthermore, "Will Be" has become the default way to indicate the future in informal contexts. If someone says, "We will be meeting at 5 PM," it's a straightforward future arrangement. Conversely, "We shall be meeting at 5 PM" sounds more formal, even a bit old-fashioned to American ears.

Oct 07, 2023

The choice between "Will Be" and "Shall Be" often hinges on the level of formality or emphasis desired by the speaker. In legal or official documents, "shall" might be used to impose a duty or requirement. Meanwhile, "will" is the go-to choice for everyday, casual communications about the future.

Oct 07, 2023

"Will Be" and "Shall Be" are both future tense constructions in English, but they possess subtle differences. "Will Be" is frequently used in American English to indicate future actions or states without any sense of obligation. For example, "The event will be tomorrow" simply states a future occurrence without imposing any necessity.

Oct 07, 2023

Comparison Chart

Usage

Common in everyday American English

More formal, less common in everyday speech

Oct 07, 2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Tone

Neutral

Formal or emphatic

Oct 07, 2023

Obligation

Typically lacks sense of obligation

Can suggest obligation or strong intent

Oct 07, 2023

Historical Usage

Used for the future, especially in recent times

Traditionally a broader future tense indicator

Oct 07, 2023

Contextual Application

Casual, general future statements

Legal, formal, or situations needing emphasis or determination

Oct 07, 2023

Definitions

Will Be

Indicates a future action or state.

The conference will be held in June.

Oct 04, 2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Shall Be

Can imply obligation or determination.

All members shall be present.

Oct 04, 2023

Will Be

Neutral tone without emphasis.

The movie will be starting soon.

Oct 04, 2023

Shall Be

More formal expression for future actions or states.

The proceedings shall be documented.

Oct 04, 2023

Will Be

Lacks a sense of obligation.

They will be arriving by noon.

Oct 04, 2023

Shall Be

Common in legal or official contexts.

There shall be no trespassing.

Oct 04, 2023

Will Be

Default for most future expressions in American English.

I will be there to support you.

Oct 04, 2023

Shall Be

Suggests a strong intent or assertion.

There shall be peace in the land.

Oct 04, 2023

Will Be

Used to express willingness or prediction.

I will be happy to help.

Oct 04, 2023

Shall Be

Traditionally used for the first person future tense.

I shall be leaving by morning.

Oct 04, 2023

FAQs

When should I use "Will Be"?

"Will Be" is best for everyday, casual future references in American English.

Oct 07, 2023

Is "Will Be" informal?

"Will Be" has a neutral tone and is standard in both informal and formal contexts.

Oct 07, 2023

Does "Shall Be" express certainty?

It can express both future certainty and strong intent or determination.

Oct 07, 2023

Is "Shall Be" still used today?

While less common in daily speech, "Shall Be" is still found in legal, literary, and certain formal contexts.

Oct 07, 2023

Are they interchangeable?

While both indicate the future, they aren't always interchangeable due to differences in tone and implication.

Oct 07, 2023

Can "Shall Be" imply obligation?

Yes, "Shall Be" can suggest obligation, especially in legal or official documents.

Oct 07, 2023

Is "Shall Be" old-fashioned?

In American English, "Shall Be" can sound formal or old-fashioned, especially in casual contexts.

Oct 07, 2023

Are "Will Be" and "Shall Be" treated differently in British English?

Yes, traditionally in British English, "shall" is used with the first person to indicate the future, while "will" is used with second and third persons. This distinction is less strict today.

Oct 07, 2023

Was "shall" traditionally used differently?

Historically, "shall" was broader in scope, often indicating the simple future, especially for the first person.

Oct 07, 2023

Do both "Will Be" and "Shall Be" have the same grammatical structure?

Both are auxiliary verbs followed by the base form of the verb "be", but they convey different nuances of meaning and formality.

Oct 07, 2023

Can "Shall Be" be used to make commands or give instructions?

Yes, especially in formal or legal contexts. For instance, "Visitors shall be accompanied by a guide."

Oct 07, 2023

Why is "Will Be" more prevalent in American English?

Over time, American English evolved to favor "Will Be" for its neutrality and simplicity for future references.

Oct 07, 2023

How do I choose between the two?

use "Will Be" for most situations and "Shall Be" for formality or emphasis.

Oct 07, 2023

Is "Will Be" always future-oriented?

Predominantly, yes. "Will Be" indicates a future action, state, or condition.

Oct 07, 2023

What happens if I use "Shall Be" in everyday conversation?

It may sound formal or old-fashioned to American listeners, but the meaning will still be clear.

Oct 07, 2023

Devine vs. Divine

⮪ Previous Comparison

Direct Labor Cost vs. Indirect Labor Cost

Next Comparison ➦

Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.