WordGarden.ioshall
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈæl/
US
- /ˈʃæl/
Meanings
Auxiliary
used in formal English for future action, intention, or suggestions such as in shall we
used in legal or official language to state a binding requirement
Beyond the definition
"Shall" feels like a word from another time, doesn't it? In modern English, it is much less common than "will," and it usually sounds formal. You will often see it in polite questions such as "Shall I carry that for you?" or "Shall we begin?" In these cases, it is used for offers and suggestions, not just for talking about the future. Older grammar books also used it with "I" and "we" to talk about future actions, but that pattern is much less common now. Today, the word mostly adds a formal, careful, or slightly old-fashioned tone.
The word "shall" is a helping verb with a long history in English. In older usage, it was often paired with "I" and "we" to refer to the future, while "will" was more common with other subjects. That old rule is no longer followed very strictly, and in everyday English "will" is now far more common. Because of that, "shall" often sounds formal, literary, or a little old-fashioned.
Today, one of its clearest uses is in polite questions that make an offer or a suggestion. For example, "Shall I open the window?" offers help, and "Shall we go for a walk?" suggests an action for people to do together. In these sentences, the word does more than point to the future. It helps create a tone that is courteous, gentle, and cooperative.
"Shall" is also common in legal, official, and technical writing, where it is used to state a duty, rule, or required action. A contract may say, "The tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month." Here, the meaning is not simply future time. It means that the tenant is required to do it. This is why the word often appears in laws, contracts, regulations, and formal procedures.
In some formal settings, "shall" can also express firm intention or authority, as in official statements and parliamentary language. Even so, this use is not common in casual speech. So, while "shall" can still point to the future in some contexts, its main value today lies in polite offers and suggestions, and in formal language that gives rules or duties.
Examples
- 1
Polite offer
Shall I make some tea?
- 2
Suggestion
Shall we sit by the window?
- 3
Planning
What shall we do with the extra tickets?
- 4
Phone call
Who shall I say is calling?
- Usage
used when you politely ask what name to give
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Uncertain outcome
We shall see how things look in the morning.
- Phrasewe shall see
we will know later
- 6
Strong promise
You shall have a full refund, I promise.
- Usage
formal or old-fashioned way to make a strong promise
- 7
Contract rule
Payment shall be made within 14 days of the invoice date.
- Domain
in contracts and official rules, shall often means must
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shallverb
Forms
- shouldpast tenseverb