/ ʃəl; NAmE ; strong form ʃæl/ modal verb ( negative shall not short form shan't / ʃɑːnt; NAmE ʃænt/ pt should / ʃʊd; NAmE / negative should not short form shouldn't / ˈʃʊdnt; NAmE /) ( especially BrE )
1.
(becoming old-fashioned ) used with I and we for talking about or predicting the future :
This time next week I shall be in Scotland.
We shan't be gone long.
I said that I should be pleased to help.
2.
used in questions with I and we for making offers or suggestions or asking advice :
Shall I send you the book?
What shall we do this weekend?
Let's look at it again, shall we?
3.
( old-fashioned or formal ) used to show that you are determined, or to give an order or instruction :
He is determined that you shall succeed.
Candidates shall remain in their seats until all the papers have been collected.
➡ note at modal
••
GRAMMAR
shall / will
In modern English the traditional difference between shall and will has almost disappeared, and shall is not used very much at all, especially in NAmE . Shall is now only used with I and we , and often sounds formal and old-fashioned. People are more likely to say:
I'll (= I will) be late
and
'You'll (= you will) apologize immediately.
' '
No I won't!
'
In BrE shall is still used with I and we in questions or when you want to make a suggestion or an offer:
What shall I wear to the party?
•
Shall we order some coffee?
•
I'll drive, shall I?
· note at should
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English sceal , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zal and German soll , from a base meaning owe.