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English Grammar : Auxiliary Verb 'Shall'
 
AUXILIARY VERB ' SHALL'

Use of Auxiliary Verb 'Shall' in English Grammar

Uses of Auxiliary Verb "SHALL"

'Shall’ is a modal verb most commonly used with "I" or "we" for suggestions, promises or voluntary actions and to describe future events."

"Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English.

"Shall" is a modal verb used to indicate future action. It shows determinations to do a work in the future. It is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination.
Suggestion, invitation and offer:
When we create interrogative sentences using 'shall' and without question words, it is usually to make suggestions, invitations, or polite offers.
Examples:
    (a) To make Suggestions.
  • • Shall I go now?
  • • Shall I help you?
  • • Let’s drink, shall we?
  • • Let's look at it again, shall we?
    • (b) To express Invitation.
  • • Shall we dance?
  • • Shall we start again?
  • • Shall we begin dinner?
  • • Shall we move into the living room?
  • • Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
    • (c) To express polite Offer.
  • • Shall I wash the dishes?
  • • Shall I send you the book?
  • • Shall we walk along the beach?
Advice or opinion:
When we form an interrogative sentence with a question word (who, what, where, when, or how), 'shall' is used to politely seek the advice or opinion of the listener about a future decision.
Examples:
  • • Where shall we begin?
  • • What shall we do this weekend?
  • • Who shall I invite to the dinner?
  • • What shall we do this weekend?
  • • When shall I receive joining latter?
Promise:
'Shall' is frequently used in promises or voluntary actions.
Examples:
  • • I shall make the travel bookings.
  • • I shall never forget where I came from.
  • • I shall take care of everything for you.
  • • I / We shall complete homework by evening.
Instruction or maxims (rules):
We use 'shall' when issuing more formal directives or maxims, as might be seen in public notices or in a formal situation, or to express obligation in a formal way.
Examples:
  • • You shall obey the rules.
  • • Students shall not enter here.
  • • There shall be no food and drink on the premises.
  • • Students shall remain silent throughout the exam.
  • • Students shall remain in their seats until all the papers have been collected.
Inevitability and Predestination:
'Shall' is used to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination.
Examples:
    (a) To expresses Inevitability.
  • • We shall overcome harassment.
  • • I'm afraid Mr. Shah shall become our new mentor.
    • (b) To describe Predestination.
  • • I shall be there by 9:00.
  • • He shall become our next President.
  • • This time next week I shall be in Australia.
Types of Auxiliary Verbs
(1) Auxiliary–cum–verbs.

"Auxiliary-cum-verbs" are :

These 11 auxiliaries are also used as verbs, therefore, they are called Auxiliary–cum–verbs. These are used to form Tenses. ( Please refer Tense Table).

(2) Pure Auxiliary verbs..

These 20 auxiliaries only support normal verbs, therefore, they are called Pure Auxiliary Verbs. They are also called Models or Model Auxiliary Verbs.

English Grammar : Verbs
 
Related Topics :
Types of Noun in English Language
Types of Pronoun in English Language
Types of Verb in English Language
Types of Adverb in English Language
Types of Adjective in English Language
Kinds of Preposition in English Language
Types of Conjunction in English Language
Uses of Interjection words in English Language

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