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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDoes anybody use the word "shall" anymore?
Come to think of it, I dont believe Ive ever heard it in real life. But I sure havent heard it recently.
You may wonder what in the world made me think about this. Im reviewing an old shorthand book and they use the word sometimes.
hlthe2b
(102,191 posts)The latter being permissive and the former restrictive language.
Shermann
(7,409 posts)...but when I'm retired I shall no longer say shall.
Cirque du So-What
(25,921 posts)in a previous life as a labor negotiator. Company hosebag insisted it meant 'optional,' while I insisted it meant 'mandatory.' I won, of, course, and never let him live it down.
hlthe2b
(102,191 posts)and given the level of education and basic knowledge that many state legislators (and quite a few Federal legislators) bring to the office, I can only imagine how frustrated their respective legal counsel must be trying to get this point across.
SCantiGOP
(13,867 posts)that you shall overcome.
Aristus
(66,307 posts)ret5hd
(20,486 posts)TXPaganBanker
(210 posts)And here in Texas, you can only use shall verbally. If you write it, everyone pronounces it to rhyme with "y'all".
Shermann
(7,409 posts)- David St. Hubbins
delisen
(6,042 posts)Am I breaking a rule?
sl8
(13,709 posts)ret5hd
(20,486 posts)There, I fixed it for you. You're welcome.
sl8
(13,709 posts)Last edited Sat May 9, 2020, 08:34 AM - Edit history (1)
RainCaster
(10,853 posts)I write technical standards and they are used all the time. Different groups use different pairs for mandatory vs. optional requirements.
Glorfindel
(9,725 posts)I think when used in the imperative mood ("You shall not pass!" ) it is sometimes spoken, but more often is contracted, as in, "I'll be sure to do that," or "we'll see." If I recall correctly, we were always taught to use "shall" with "I" or "we" and "will" with "you, she/he/it," and "they."
The exception would be when using imperatives: "I will not do it!" or (as above) "You shall not pass!" I'll be listening to see if I hear "shall" used in conversation henceforth. Thanks, raccoon!
CTyankee
(63,899 posts)till we have built Jerusalem in England's green and pleasant land."
"The New Jerusalem" by William Blake
The Brits sing this everywhere. I think it's their national anthem (along with God Save the Queen).
Glorfindel
(9,725 posts)His poetry is wonderfully deranged..."those dark, satanic mills" e.g., but nothing comes close to
"Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!"
Wonderful stuff, CTyankee. Thanks for bringing it to mind.
CTyankee
(63,899 posts)"I will not cease from mental fight
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand"
that tells you right there the difference between will and shall.
Glorfindel
(9,725 posts)Yavin4
(35,427 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)The word may does not.
You shall not use the word shall interchangeably with may. If you do, you may see a lower grade on your assignment.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)raccoon
(31,106 posts)PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,370 posts)KayF
(1,345 posts)it sounds cool. She also pronounces the letter H like "haych"
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)NNadir
(33,509 posts)...which is sort of amusing.
The people who address me as such apparently believe that no one can hold an ethical opinion for any reason other than money, which says more, I think, about them than it does about me.
elleng
(130,825 posts)haven't written a legal document recently!
tblue37
(65,269 posts)tblue37
(65,269 posts)whistler162
(11,155 posts)patricia92243
(12,595 posts)raccoon
(31,106 posts)Generic Brad
(14,274 posts)malthaussen
(17,183 posts)Wolf Frankula
(3,600 posts)Wolf
ismnotwasm
(41,971 posts)Its a fun word
Iggo
(47,545 posts)So all the time and rarely.
Callmecrazy
(3,065 posts)"you shall" is incorrect.