shall */*/*/

weak [ʃəl] , strong [ʃæl]

modal verb summary: ■ Shall is usually followed by an infinitive without ‘to': I shall explain everything later. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I have never visited America and probably never shall. ■ Shall has no participles and no infinitive form. It does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in ‘-s': The President shall appoint all ambassadors with the consent of the Senate. ■ Questions and negatives are formed without ‘do': Shall I come with you? ■ The negative form shall not can be shortened in conversation or informal writing to shan't.

1) British

used after ‘I' or ‘we' for saying what you intend to do in the future

I shall be busy all day tomorrow.[/ex]

If he gets violent, I shall phone the police.[/ex]

We shan't be able to stay with you very long.[/ex]

By nightfall we shall have achieved our objectives.[/ex]

In forming the future tense shall is only used with the subject ‘I' or ‘we'. Will or its short form 'll is much more common with all subjects. Both verbs are used to express intentions, but will also expresses willingness: I'll come with you if you like.

2) used for offering help, suggesting something, or asking someone what to do

Shall we have some lunch?[/ex]

Shall I open the champagne?[/ex]

Where shall we meet?[/ex]

3) legal

used in instructions and legal documents for saying that something must be done

The Court shall have authority to demand the presence of witnesses.[/ex]