Dictionary
shall
verb \shəl, ˈshal\
—used to say that something is expected to happen in the future
—used to ask for someone's opinion
—used to give a command or to say that you will or will not allow something to happen
past should \shəd, ˈshu̇d\ present singular & plural shall
Full Definition of SHALL
verbal auxiliary
2
a —used to express a command or exhortation <you shall go> b —used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory <it shall be unlawful to carry firearms>
3
a —used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future <we shall have to be ready> <we shall see> b —used to express simple futurity <when shall we expect you>
4
—used to express determination <they shall not pass>
intransitive verb
archaic : will go <he to England shall along with you — Shakespeare>
See shall defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of SHALL
From the reams of pronouncements written about the distinction between shall and will—dating back as far as the 17th century—it is clear that the rules laid down have never very accurately reflected actual usage. The nationalistic statements of 18th and 19th century British grammarians, who commonly cited the misuses of the Irish, the Scots, and occasionally the Americans, suggest that the traditional rules may have come closest to the usage of southern England. Some modern commentators believe that English usage is still the closest to the traditionally prescribed norms. Most modern commentators allow that will is more common in nearly all uses. The entries for shall and will in this dictionary show current usage.
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Origin of SHALL
Middle English shal (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English sceal; akin to Old High German scal (1st & 3d singular present indicative) ought to, must, Lithuanian skola debt
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to SHALL
- Synonyms
- have (to), must, ought (to), need, should
SHALL Defined for Kids
shall
helping verb \shəl, ˈshal\
past should \shəd, ˈshu̇d\ present singular and plural shall
Definition of SHALL for Kids
1
: am or are going to or expecting to : will <Violators shall be dealt with most harshly. — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth>
2
: is or are forced to : must <They shall not pass.>
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