Shall and Will
5 July 2006Shall
Shall is used by the first person. I shall, we shall - the action expressed stricly arises through some influence beyond the speaker’s will. Shall has the idea of obligation. But I shall, we shall, have been softened so as to express simple futurity.
I shall be glad to see your parents.
We shall have much pleasure in going with you.
Shall, with the second and third person, usually conveys a promise, or theat, or command. If in these persons emphasis is laid on shall, the command is more positive, or the threat is more certain.
Shall, therefore, is the word used in represeting the highest form of authority or of general command.
Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not kill.
Will
Will originally expressed wish, itention, resolution on the part of the person speaking or acting.
If I can be of service to you, I will.
I will keep this secret for you.
In the ordinary usage of will in the second and third person, the idea of wish, purpose, or determination vanishes; so that will in the second and third person indicates simple futurity.
He will come at noontime.
Storm will be usual this year.
In the first person, shall expresses future event without regard to the wish or volition of the speaker or the one acting on it. Will is used to express a promise, threat or determination on the part of the agent.
Will is used to express the simple future without the agent’s wish or volition.
Note: The rule for the second and third person is the reverse of the rule for the first person.
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