Really Good Word Usage – No. 20: Shall I or Will I?

Bill Moore

When do we use shall instead of will or will instead of shall? The short answer to the question is that, to an overwhelming extent, in American English, will as a verb meaning intend to can be used in every construction where will or shall is a choice.

It hasn't always been that way, and for writers of British English, it still isn't. In the U.S., people who started school before the Korean War were taught distinctly different usages for will and shall. They were taught that when they were talking about themselves (that is, speaking in the first person: I or we), they used shall and will in one way, and when they were talking about other people (that is, speaking in the second and third person: he, she, it, you, they), they actually reversed how they used them.

Here's how it looked like when you put it in a chart.

Simple intention I/we shall you will he/she/it/they will

Really determined I/we will you shall he/she/it/they shall

Here's how it was used. When they were talking about I or we, and they wanted to show that something was simply their intention, they used shall. So, they'd write, "I shall be home on time," and "How shall we find the house?" Then, to show that they were really determined about something, they used will, as in, "I will not be made mock of," and "We will have our pound of flesh."

When they were talking about someone else, they'd used the words in just the opposite way. To show that something was simply a person's intention, they'd used will, as in, "He will be home around noon," and "They will use their own cars." In the same way, to show another person's determination, they used shall, as in, "He shall do as he wants," and "You shall have the gift you so desire."

Today, saying, "We shall be home by dark," just to mean that's what we intend sounds very formal. Shall is most often used now for emphasis whether it's first, second, or third person. The resolve is clear in, "We shall overcome!" and "They shall not pass!" In all other cases, with one significant exception, unless you're aim is to be very "correct," will can be used any time there's a choice.

The exception is in legal documents in the U.S. Shall is used consistently, regardless of person, to show resolve, as in, "The counsels shall agree on a start-time for the hearing, and the plaintiff shall present herself at the appointed hour," because it carries the meaning that it's a directive from someone who has the authority to make the pronouncement, and make it stick. Will is used only as an indication of what is likely to happen based on experience, as in, "The plaintiff will receive compensation according to the law."

But I will always prefer the good, old usage, and I shall not be deterred from my preference, unless, of course, my boss says, "You will use will in all cases except where shall is used for emphasis." Then I shall do as I'm told. 

Bill Moore is the author of Write Rite Right. This compendium of homophones, homonyms, and frequently misapplied words is a necessary resource for anyone who writes for others to read. (Available on backoftheroom.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com) Bill works with businesses, focusing on organizational development and corporate training with emphasis on communications and product presentation. He helps his clients sharpen communication and selling skills and reach targeted audiences effectively. He's a freelance trainer, researcher, and technical writer with over 30 years professional experience. Visit his Website, http://www.WriteRiteRight.com for more information on words and writing. You can contact him personally at bill_moore@WriteRiteRight.com

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