shall

Shall is a modal auxiliary verb in English with several distinct functions. It can indicate future action in the first person, express obligation or determination, or introduce offers and suggestions in questions. In everyday speech, 'shall' is usually reserved for formal, literary, or legal contexts, while 'will' is used for most ordinary future statements.

For future reference, traditional grammar pairs 'I shall' and 'we shall' with 'I will' and 'we will'. In contemporary English, most speakers use 'will' for all persons. Nevertheless, 'shall' survives in questions and proposals such as 'Shall we go?' or 'Shall I help you?'

Shall can also denote obligation or order, especially in formal modes or legal drafting: 'You shall not pass' or 'The tenant shall pay rent on the first day of each month.' In these uses, it carries stronger force than the ordinary future may imply.

Usage varies by region. British English tends to retain 'shall' more in formal writing and in certain interrogatives; American English uses it less often outside law and formal instruction. In modern style guides, some discourage its casual use in favor of 'will' or 'must' depending on meaning.

Shall has a related past form, should, which expresses advice, contingency, or hypothetical outcomes: 'If you should need assistance...' In indirect speech, 'shall' is typically rendered as 'should.' The contracted form 'shan't' is rare in contemporary usage.

Etymology: shall derives from Old English sculan, reflecting obligation and determination that has narrowed over time to contemporary modal use.