shall Definition

1. Expressing: the future tense of other verbs, especially when the subject is I or we.
2. Expressing: determination, intention, certainty, and obligation, especially when the subject is you, he, she, it or they.

Example: They shall succeed
Example: You shall have what you want
Example: He shall become king
Example: You shall not kill
3. Expressing: a question implying future action, often with the sense of an offer or suggestion, especially when the subject is I or weSee note on next page. See also should, will.

Example: What shall we do?
Example: Shall I give you a hand?

○ The rule about shall and will used to be as follows: to express the simple future, use shall with I and we, and will with you, he, she, it and they; to express permission, obligation or determination, use will with I and we, and shall with you, he, she, it and they.

○ Nowadays, I will and we will are commonly used to express the simple future.

○ Note that shall is often used in questions in the second person to show that the question is really a neutral request for information rather than a request that something be done &wbox;