Comments on: The Difference Between “will” and “shall”

By: Dev

Dev — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:56:08 +0000

Perhaps this is a matter of little importance, but why does it seem that contributors on this site think so many words are missing from colloquial or even formal American English? My friends and I say “shall” interchangeably with “will” very frequently.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:50:48 +0000

I am an English teacher in Mexico, and I can assure you that no distinction is made between shall and will in the (very modern) coursebook we use. Indeed, ‘shall’ is not mentioned until at least level 3, and then only in passing.

The fact of the matter is that 90% of the English speaking world does not acknowledge any difference between the two words, and certainly no one abides by the so-called rule of using ‘shall’ in first person.

After reading this article and the comments I am convinced that there is a subtle shade of difference (a ‘matiz’, as Mexicans say): that ‘shall’ is more forceful or insistent than will. Hence in the example given, the ‘polite’ people misinterpreted the drowning man’s statement of fact as a command to not help him.

I recall another example from Cinderella: ‘you SHALL go to the ball’. It sounds rather more assertive and defiant than ‘will’.

In conclusion, I’d advise learners to just use ‘shall’ when they want to make a point of some future action, or for a future imperative. Otherwise, not to worry about it

Ben.

By: jet

jet — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:59:40 +0000

difference between he shall prosper and he will prosper?

By: Ata Iscen

Ata Iscen — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:24:36 +0000

In my mind, the difference is:

‘shall’ is the politely way of saying ‘will’

for example:

Thank you for contacting us. We shall get back to you as soon as possible.

By: nou sreymom

nou sreymom — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:50:17 +0000

I want to know that how do we use “shall” in rule or general natural?