The words will and shall can be confusing for English speakers. This article will help to clear up the difference between the two. Additionally, we will provide examples of how to use each word correctly. Finally, we will give you a few tips on when to use one over the other. Let’s get started!
What is Will?
Will is a modal verb that expresses likelihood or certainty. In other words, it indicates how likely or certain the speaker is that something will happen. For example, consider the following sentence: “I will go to the store later.” In this sentence, the speaker is expressing their intention to go to the store later. They are certain that they will go, and so they use Will. Will can also be used to express predictions, as in the following sentence: “The sun will rise tomorrow.” In this sentence, the speaker is predicting that the sun will rise tomorrow.
They are not certain, but they believe that it is likely to happen. Finally, Will can also be used to express determination, as in the following sentence: “I will finish this project no matter what.” In this sentence, the speaker is expressing their determination to finish the project. They are not certain that they will succeed, but they are determined to try. As you can see, Will is a versatile verb that can be used in a variety of ways.
What is Shall?
Shall is a modal verb that has several uses, including indicating determination or promise, offering or requesting something, and asking for someone else’s opinion. In general, using “shall” implies that the speaker is sure of what they are saying. For example, if a person says “I shall be there at six o’clock,” they are promising to be punctual.
Shall can also be used to make suggestions, as in “Shall we meet for coffee?” In this case, the speaker is politely offering to meet with someone else. Finally, “shall” can be used to seek another person’s opinion, as in “What shall we do about the rent?” Here, the speaker is asking for ideas from the person they are talking to. While “shall” is not a common verb in casual conversation, it is often used in business or legal contexts. Knowing how to use this verb correctly can help you sound more professional and confident in your speaking.
Difference between Will and Shall
- Will and shall are both auxiliary verbs that are used to indicate future actions. Will is the more common of the two, and it can be used with both first and second person pronouns as well as with all verb tenses.
- Shall is less common, and it is primarily used in formal situations with first person pronouns. It can also be used to indicate a sense of determination or obligation. In general, will is used when indicating simple future actions, while shall is reserved for more complicated future actions.
- For example, if you say “I will go to the store tomorrow,” this indicates that going to the store is something that you plan to do. However, if you say “I shall go to the store tomorrow,” this suggests that there is some degree of importance or significance attached to the action. Therefore, it is important to choose the right auxiliary verb depending on the context in which it will be used. Will is more versatile and should be your default choice unless there is a specific reason to use shall.
Conclusion
Shall is used to express a suggestion or offer, whereas will expresses determination. In order to choose the correct verb form, it’s important to understand the context of the sentence and who is making the request. For example, if you are making a suggestion to someone else then use shall, but if you are stating what you will do then use will. When in doubt, use will because it is less ambiguous than shall. Now that we have gone over the difference between these two verbs, let’s practice using them in some sentences.
