shall

shall — verb

1. used with 'I' or 'we' to talk about something that you expect to happen in the f

1.verbB1
Definition

used with 'I' or 'we' to talk about something that you expect to happen in the future; in modern everyday English, 'will' is much more common than 'shall' for this meaning, even with first-person subjects

Example

I shall be sixty years old next spring, so I plan to retire soon.

shall with first-person for simple future prediction

We shall notify all customers by email if there are any delays.

Common collocations
  • shall be
  • shall have
  • shall never
  • shall not
  • shall need
Synonyms
  • will

    the standard choice for simple future with all subjects; less formal than 'shall'

Grammar Patterns

I/we + shall + base verb

Usage Note

In modern British English, 'will' has largely replaced 'shall' for simple future even after I/we. Using 'shall' in this sense makes your speech sound quite formal or old-fashioned. American English rarely uses 'shall' for the future at all.

Common Mistakes

He shall arrive at the airport by noon.
He will arrive at the airport by noon.
'Shall' for simple future only works with 'I' or 'we'; use 'will' with other subjects.
I shall be there — I already bought the ticket.
I will be there
I already bought the ticket.' — For a casual, everyday statement about the future, 'will' sounds more natural than 'shall'.

2. used in questions with 'I' or 'we' to ask someone if they agree with a suggestio

2.verbA2
Definition

used in questions with 'I' or 'we' to ask someone if they agree with a suggestion, want you to do something for them, or want to do something together

Example

Shall I make us some tea while we wait for the others?

Shall I ...? for offering to do something

Shall we take a short break and continue after lunch?

Shall we ...? for making a joint suggestion

Common collocations
  • Shall I
  • Shall we
  • Shall I open
  • Shall we go
Synonyms
  • should

    in 'Should we...?' questions, similar meaning but implies weaker suggestion or asks for advice

  • let's

    not a question form; 'Let's go' is a direct suggestion, while 'Shall we go?' invites agreement

Grammar Patterns

Shall + I/we + base verb + ...?

Usage Note

This is the most common and natural use of 'shall' in modern English, used across both British and American varieties. 'Shall I' offers to do something for the listener; 'Shall we' suggests an activity involving both speaker and listener. There is no other modal verb that performs exactly this function.

Common Mistakes

Shall you come to the party?
Will you come to the party?' or 'Are you coming to the party?
'Shall' in questions is only used with 'I' and 'we'; use 'will' for questions with 'you'.
Shall we to go now?
Shall we go now?
After 'shall', use the base form of the verb without 'to'.

3. used to express a strong intention or to insist that something must happen, espe

3.verbB2
Definition

used to express a strong intention or to insist that something must happen, especially when someone else disagrees with or doubts the outcome

Example

No matter how hard they try, they shall not stop us from speaking the truth.

shall not for emphatic refusal or resistance

You shall get a fair hearing — I promise to listen to both sides.

Common collocations
  • shall not
  • shall never
  • shall be done
Synonyms
  • must

    stronger in obligation; 'shall' focuses on the speaker's determination, while 'must' focuses on necessity

  • will

    when stressed, 'will' can also express determination, but 'shall' sounds more formal and forceful

Grammar Patterns

subject + SHALL + base verb (stressed)

Usage Note

When used this way, 'shall' is usually stressed (spoken more loudly) in speech. This sense overlaps with the LEGAL OBLIGATION sense in writing — the key difference is that determination carries emotional force, while legal obligation is neutral and procedural. With second- and third-person subjects (you, he, she, they), this sense sounds very strong and almost like a command or prophecy.

Common Mistakes

You shall be late if you do not hurry.' (meaning a simple prediction)
You will be late if you do not hurry.
For predictions about what will happen, use 'will'. 'Shall' for determination expresses the speaker's strong will, not a prediction.
The weather shall be sunny tomorrow.
The weather will be sunny tomorrow.
Weather forecasts use 'will', not 'shall', because there is no element of personal determination.

4. used in official documents, contracts, and regulations to state that something i

4.verbB2
Definition

used in official documents, contracts, and regulations to state that something is required by law or by a specific set of rules; closest in meaning to 'must' but even more formal

Example

Each tenant shall pay rent on or before the fifth day of the month.

shall in legal contracts for mandatory action

All staff shall wear protective gloves when handling any chemical substances.

Common collocations
  • shall pay
  • shall be entitled
  • shall not exceed
  • shall provide
  • shall ensure
Synonyms
  • must

    the more common choice for expressing obligation in both spoken and written English; many legal drafters now prefer 'must' for clarity

  • be required to

    very formal and explicit about obligation; common in official documents

Grammar Patterns

subject + shall + base verb

Usage Note

In legal and official writing, 'shall' creates a binding duty or requirement. Many modern legal style guides (especially in the United States) now recommend replacing 'shall' with 'must' to avoid confusion, since 'shall' can also express future time or prediction. In everyday rules and instructions, use 'must' instead.

Common Mistakes

Students shall bring their textbooks to class tomorrow.' (in a casual classroom)
Students must bring their textbooks to class tomorrow.
For everyday school or workplace rules, 'must' sounds more natural than 'shall'.
I shall finish this report by Friday.' (when you just mean you plan to)
I will finish this report by Friday.' or 'I must finish this report by Friday.
Using 'shall' in an everyday context sounds either legalistic or overly dramatic.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

'Shall we?', 'Should we?', 'Let's', and 'Why don't we?' all propose a joint activity but differ in how much choice they give the listener. 'Shall we go?' is a genuine invitation — you are asking the other person to decide. 'Should we go?' questions whether going is the right decision; it asks for advice or evaluation. 'Let's go' is a direct suggestion that expects agreement rather than a discussion. 'Why don't we go?' sounds casual and friendly, like a gentle nudge. In practice: 'Shall we take a break?' is a polite offer open to refusal; 'Let's take a break' assumes the other person agrees; 'Why don't we take a break?' feels relaxed and collaborative.

shall ↗should ↗let'swhy don't we

Common collocations

Phrases

  • I shall
  • we shall
  • Shall I
  • Shall we
  • shall not
  • shall never

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Shall' comes from Old English 'sceal', which meant 'to owe' or 'to be under an obligation'. This original sense of duty or obligation survives in the legal sense (sense 4) and the determination sense (sense 3). Over time, 'sceal' also developed a future meaning, giving us the simple-future use with 'I' and 'we' (sense 1). The suggestion use (sense 2) grew out of the future meaning — asking about what the future should bring together. The word is related to German 'sollen' (ought to), Dutch 'zullen' (will/shall), and Swedish 'skola' (will/shall), all from the same ancient root meaning debt or obligation.