Future - Will or Shall?

Post date: Feb 2, 2016 1:49:07 PM

1. Use

Shall is mostly only used with the first person (I or we). Both will and shall use the contracted form 'll.

Both are used to express intentions, but will also express willingness.

Some exceptions can be found below

2. Meaning of Shall

1. used for offering help, suggesting something or asking someone what they would like to do.

   1. Shall I come and pick you up after your meeting?

   2. Shall we open the window? It is hot in here.

   3. What film shall we watch?

2. used for asking for advice when you cannot decide what to do.

   1. What shall I do with this dress? It is too small for me already.

   2. What shall we do when you are gone?

3. FORMAL, used for emphasizing that you are determined to do something or that something will surely happen.

   1. You shall have the report tomorrow. It is almost finished.

   2. We will turn off our phones, so no one shall disturb us.

4. LEGAL, used in instructions and legal documents to say that something should be done.

   1. The court shall decide whether the suspect is guilty or not.

   2. The president shall be sworn in before taking office.

3. Question tags

Shall is used in question tags only with the first person of the plural in imperative form:

• Let's have a break, shall we?