SHALL


Meaning of SHALL in English

■ modal verb ( 3rd singular present ~ )

1》 (in the first person) expressing the future tense.

2》 expressing a strong assertion or intention.

3》 expressing an instruction or command.

4》 used in questions indicating offers or suggestions.

Origin

OE sceal , of Gmc origin, from a base meaning 'owe'.

Usage

There are traditional rules as to when to use ~ and will . These state that when forming the future tense, ~ should be used with I and we ( I ~ be late ), while will should be used with you , he , she , it , and they ( he will not be there ). However, when expressing determination or a command this rule is reversed: will is used with I and we ( I will not tolerate this ), and ~ is used with you , he , she , it , and they ( you ~ go to school ). In practice, however, these rules are not followed so strictly and the contracted forms ( I'll , she'll , etc.) are frequently used instead, especially in spoken and informal contexts.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.