shall

Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.

Verb

  1. Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.
    • I shall sing in the choir tomorrow.
    • I hope that we shall win the game.
    • "Then, having used up the powers of the Golden Cap, I shall give it to the King of the Monkeys, that he and his band may thereafter be free for evermore." - 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, chapter 23, in The Wonderful...
  2. Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.
    • (determination): You shall go to the ball!; He shall be given a fair trial.
    • (obligation): Citizens shall provide proof of identity.
    • (obligation): The renter shall be responsible for maintenance of the vehicle.
  3. Used in questions with the first person singular or plural to suggest a possible future action.
    • What shall I do? Shall I give you a hand?
    • Shall we go out later?
    • I'll hold that for you, shall I?
  4. To owe.
    • I thee shall a hundred golden coins; th'amount thou shalt the Queen is much higher.
    • He should þe Princess his Life, for she had deliver'd him from þe Poison deadly.

Origin

From Middle English schal (infinitive schulen), from Old English sċeal (infinitive sċulan (“should, must”)), from Proto-West Germanic *skulan, from Proto-Germanic *skal (infinitive *skulaną), from Proto-Indo-European *skel- (“to owe, be under obligation”). Cognate with Scots sall, sal (“shall”), North Frisian skal, schal, Saterland Frisian skäl, schäl, schal (infinitive skälle, schälle), West Frisian sil (infinitive sille (“shall”)), Dutch zal (infinitive zullen (“shall”)), Low German schall (infinitive schölen (“shall”)), German soll (infinitive sollen (“ought to”)), Danish skal (infinitive skulle (“shall”)), Icelandic skal (infinitive skulu (“shall”)), Afrikaans sal, Swedish skall (“shall”) (infinitive skola).

Forms

shall should shal

Related

must ought should will

Derived

shalbe shalln't shan't man shall not live by bread alone never the twain shall meet seek and ye shall find shall I say shall-issue shall we say speak of the devil and he shall appear this too shall pass this too shall pass away