Grammar | Modals Verbs | Will - Shall

 

English MODALS Verbs

Verb auxiliary / Will:

Some of people have been taught that (will) is 'the future' in English. This is not correct. Often when you talk about the future you cannot use (will). Sometimes when you use (will) you are not talking about the future.

You can use (will) to talk about future events You believe to be certain:

_ The moon will rise over there tomorrow evening.

_ Next year, I'll be 40.

_ That train will be late. It sometimes is.

_ There won't be any rain. I'm certain. It's too dry.

Sometimes You add "perhaps" or " maybe ", " probably " and " possibly " to make the belief less certain:

_ She'll probably come back later.

_ She'll possibly find out when she sees Julie.

_ Maybe it will be alright.

_ Perhaps I'll meet again someday.

You sometimes use " will " with " I hope, " or " I think. ":

_ I think I'll go to bed now.

_ I think she'll do well in the job.

_ I hope you'll enjoy your stay.

_ I hope you won't make too much noise.

You use 'will' at the moment you make a new decision or plan. The thought has just come into your head:

_ Bye. I'll phone you when I get there.

_ I'll answer that.

_ I'll go.

_ I won't tell him. I promise.

Model verb / Shall:

In the following examples, " Shall " has more less retained the meaning of " MUST " that it had in old English.

A. First Person:

 1. OFFERS: 

 _ Shall I make the tea now?

 _ Shall I switch off the lights?  

  _ Shall we help you right now?

   -------------->; In these examples, shall refers to the PRESENT, not to the future.

- Shall cannot be replaced by will.

_ Shall = must or do you want me/ us to...?

                               do you think I have to...?

2. SUGGESTIONS:

_ Shall we have dinner now?

Let's have a rest, shall we?  No idea of future (SHALL cannot be replaced by WILL).

3. PROMISES:

_ You shall have an answer by tomorrow.

_ You shall have a fur coat by Christmas.

+ WILL = would be possible in these examples but SHALL makes the promise STRONGER.

4. COMMANDS:

_ You shall leave the room at once.

_ The boys shall wear their uniforms every day.

+ WILL is also possible in these examples but SHALL makes the command STRONGER.

" You will leave the room at once " = is just a NORMAL COMMAND whereas " You shall leave the room " IS MORE CATEGORICAL.

5. PROHIBITIONS:

_ You shan't open that door again.

_ I'll start again, and you shan't stop me this time >>>> Here again / shall & shan't are stronger than will / won't.