Will Forever Be vs. Will Be Forever – Which is Correct?
Both “will forever be” and “will be forever” are grammatically correct, but “will forever be” is usually the more natural choice before an adjective or noun complement: “She will forever be remembered.” “Will be forever” typically places emphasis on lasting duration, especially at the end: “Their friendship will be forever.”
Will Forever Be or Will Be Forever – Which Is Correct?
Both “will forever be” and “will be forever” are correct English phrases. The main difference is the position of the adverb forever and the emphasis created by that position.
“Will forever be” is generally the smoother and more common choice when be connects the subject to an adjective, noun, or description. For example, “He will forever be grateful” means that his gratitude will never end.
“Will be forever” usually emphasizes the duration of a state, relationship, or condition. It commonly appears at the end of a sentence, as in “The memory will be forever.” In many contexts, however, “will last forever” or “will always be” may sound more natural.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use this simple test: if forever describes how long the subject will remain something, place it before be: “She will forever be a friend.” If forever describes the duration of the state itself, it can come after be: “Their bond will be forever.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| will forever be | Verb phrase with adverb | Will always remain in a particular state or role | She will forever be remembered. |
| will be forever | Verb phrase with adverb | Will continue indefinitely; emphasizes duration | Their friendship will be forever. |
How to Use Will Forever Be
“Will forever be” is used when forever modifies the verb phrase and stresses that someone or something will always remain in a particular condition, identity, or relationship. It often appears before a past participle, adjective, noun phrase, or prepositional phrase.
This construction is especially common in emotional, formal, literary, and commemorative writing. It can express permanence, loyalty, admiration, remembrance, or an enduring effect.
Example 1: The scientist will forever be remembered for her groundbreaking research.
Example 2: You will forever be part of this family.
Example 3: That decision will forever be associated with the beginning of the reform movement.
Etymology of the Phrase Will Forever Be
The phrase combines the future auxiliary will, the adverb forever, and the verb be. Will developed from an Old English verb meaning “to wish” or “to desire” and gradually became a marker of futurity. Forever comes from the combination of for and ever, expressing an unlimited period. Together, the words create the meaning “will always remain.”
How to Use Will Be Forever
“Will be forever” is also grammatically correct, but it places forever after the linking verb. This arrangement can give extra emphasis to the idea of duration. It is most natural when the sentence focuses on how long a condition, memory, relationship, or influence will continue.
In everyday English, speakers sometimes prefer “will last forever,” “will always be,” or “will be permanent” because these alternatives make the intended meaning more precise. Nevertheless, “will be forever” is acceptable, particularly in poetic, sentimental, or emphatic language.
Example 1: The memory of that summer will be forever.
Example 2: Their promise will be forever, no matter how far apart they live.
Example 3: The impact of the discovery will be forever felt throughout the scientific community.
Etymology of the Phrase Will Be Forever
Will be forever contains the same three historical elements as will forever be: the future auxiliary will, the linking verb be, and the duration adverb forever. The difference is syntactic rather than historical. Moving forever after be gives the phrase a stronger focus on duration or permanence.
Related Concepts
Understanding adverb placement and linking verbs makes the distinction between these two phrases easier to recognize.
- Adverb placement: Adverbs can appear in different positions, but their placement may change emphasis and naturalness. “Will forever be grateful” is usually more idiomatic than “will be forever grateful.”
- Linking verbs: The verb be links a subject with a description, identity, or condition, such as “be happy,” “be a leader,” or “be remembered.”
- Future tense: The auxiliary will helps express a future state or action. In both phrases, it indicates that the condition is expected to exist later.
- Duration adverbs: Words such as forever, always, and temporarily describe how long a state or action continues.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers, filmmakers, journalists, and lyricists often use these constructions to express memory, devotion, legacy, or permanent change.
- Historical writing: A biography may state, “The leader will forever be remembered for changing the course of the nation.”
- Film dialogue: A character saying, “You will forever be my closest friend,” uses the more natural pattern before a noun phrase.
- Romantic fiction: A novel might describe a relationship by saying, “Their love will be forever,” using the final position to emphasize permanence.
- News reporting: An article about a major event may say, “The decision will forever be associated with the organization’s transformation.”
- Memorial writing: A tribute may conclude, “Her kindness will forever be remembered by everyone who knew her.”
Will Forever Be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| will always be | Will remain in the same state or role at all times |
| will permanently be | Will remain unchanged or continuous indefinitely |
| will ever remain | Will continue to exist or hold a particular status |
| will always remain | Will continue in a condition or relationship without ending |
Will Be Forever Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| will last forever | Will continue without ending |
| will be permanent | Will not be temporary or reversible |
| will endure indefinitely | Will continue for an unlimited period |
| will continue endlessly | Will go on without a definite conclusion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “will forever be” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Will forever be” is grammatically correct and is usually the more natural construction when followed by an adjective, noun, or past participle, as in “He will forever be grateful.”
Question 2: Is “will be forever” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Will be forever” is also correct, especially when the sentence emphasizes the lasting duration of a condition or relationship. However, “will last forever” may sound more natural in some contexts.
Question 3: Should I write “I will forever be grateful” or “I will be forever grateful”?
“I will forever be grateful” is generally the preferred and more idiomatic choice. The adverb naturally comes before be in this sentence, although “I will be forever grateful” can also be understood and is used by some speakers.
Conclusion
Both “will forever be” and “will be forever” are valid, but they do not have exactly the same emphasis. Choose “will forever be” when describing what someone or something will always remain, and use “will be forever” when highlighting duration or permanence. Pro Tip: In formal or professional writing, prefer the wording that sounds most natural and use “will last forever” when you want the duration to be unmistakably clear.
