shall
- 01 A2 Elementary
you use this in questions to suggest an idea or ask for advice.
used in interrogative sentences with the first person to offer a suggestion or request instructions.
Simple“Shall we go for a walk after we finish our coffee?”
In context“Shall I contact the supplier directly, or would you prefer to handle the initial negotiations yourself?”
UsageOnly used with 'I' or 'we' in this sense.
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
a formal way to say 'will' when talking about the future.
used as a future marker, traditionally restricted to the first person singular and plural in formal registers.
Simple“I shall be away on holiday for the next two weeks.”
In context“We shall eventually reach a decision, though the complexity of the legal framework requires a more thorough review than initially anticipated.”
Teacher's tipIn modern speech, 'will' is much more common; 'shall' can sound very formal or old-fashioned to some speakers.
PitfallI shall probably to see you tomorrow. I shall probably see you tomorrow.Like all modal verbs, 'shall' is followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
used in formal rules to say that something must happen.
used in legal or administrative contexts to express a mandatory requirement or obligation.
Simple“The tenant shall pay the rent on the first day of every month.”
In context“The party of the second part shall ensure that all safety protocols are strictly observed for the duration of the contract.”
UsageUsed with second and third person subjects in legal documents.
Synonyms
shall vs will — Will is the standard marker for future intent and prediction, while shall is restricted to formal offers, suggestions, or legal obligations.
From Middle English schal (infinitive schulen), from Old English sċeal (infinitive sċulan (“should, must”)), from Proto-West Germanic skulan, from Proto-Germanic skal (infinitive skulaną), from Proto-Indo-European skel- (“to owe, be under obligation”). Cognate with Scots sall, sal (“shall”), North Frisian skal, schal, Saterland Frisian skäl, schäl, schal (infinitive skälle, schälle), West Frisian sil (infinitive sille (“shall”)), Dutch zal (infinitive zullen (“shall”)), Low German schall (infinitive schölen (“shall”)), German soll (infinitive sollen (“ought to”)), Danish skal (infinitive skulle (“shall”)), Icelandic skal (infinitive skulu (“shall”)), Afrikaans sal, Swedish skall (“shall”) (infinitive skola).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.