Does anybody use the word "shall" anymore?

[raccoon]

Come to think of it, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it in real life. But I sure haven’t heard it recently.

You may wonder what in the world made me think about this. I’m reviewing an old shorthand book and they use the word sometimes.

[hlthe2b]

1. Used in legal and legislative language all the time. A big issue in terms of "shall" vs "may"

The latter being permissive and the former restrictive language.

[Shermann]

15. Yup software requirements documents use "shall" and "should"

...but when I'm retired I shall no longer say shall.

[Cirque du So-What]

20. I went to the wall once over meaning of 'shall'

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]

23. I have heard some of the most ignorant RW politicos arguing the same (oxymoron, I know)

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]

33. Guess you and your friends were certain at the time

that you shall overcome.

[Aristus]

2. I do when I'm doing my 'stuffy Brit' voice.

[ret5hd]

3. Haven't used it in a fortnight myself. Shan't be using it soon, either.

[TXPaganBanker]

6. I use shan't more than shall.

And here in Texas, you can only use shall verbally. If you write it, everyone pronounces it to rhyme with "y'all".

[Shermann]

16. "We Shan't Work Together Again"

- David St. Hubbins

[delisen]

4. I use "shall." Shall we leave...shall we dine..shall we go...

Am I breaking a rule?

[sl8]

5. I hear it more often than "shan't", I think. n/t

[ret5hd]

7. ...methinks. "I hear it more often than "shan't", methinks."

There, I fixed it for you. You're welcome.

[sl8]

27. Mesorry, methanks. n/t

Last edited Sat May 9, 2020, 07:34 AM - Edit history (1)

[RainCaster]

8. I use the terms "should/shall" and "may/must" in different professional contexts

I write technical standards and they are used all the time. Different groups use different pairs for mandatory vs. optional requirements.

[Glorfindel]

9. What an interesting question.

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]

36. "I will not cease from mental fight/nor shall my sword sleep in my hand/

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]

37. I have always thought Mr. Blake got hold of some good stash

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]

38. Thanks. I love watching the Queen sing the line "dark, satanic mills."

"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]

39. Indeed it does. n/t

[Yavin4]

10. Not since I stopped talking to Levon. n/t

[guillaumeb]

11. The word shall compells action.

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]

12. All the time when I quote "the commandments"... n/t

[raccoon]

13. Yeah, but that's frozen language. It's not people talking in RL. Nt

[PoliticAverse]

14. The only "real life" use I recall -when I tell someone "I shall do that later/tomorrow/after..." n/t

[mahatmakanejeeves]

17. I shall. NT

[KayF]

18. my coworker from India uses it

it sounds cool. She also pronounces the letter H like "haych"

[LizBeth]

19. Occasionally, along with tis.

[NNadir]

21. British people and Indians use it frequently. Many people use "shill" to address me...

...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]

22. Prolly not,

haven't written a legal document recently!

[tblue37]

24. Still common in Great Britain. nt

[tblue37]

25. BTW, even in U.S. English, we still say, "Shall we go?" and "Shall we?" nt

[whistler162]

26. Only to that bald guy with the funny accent.....

[patricia92243]

28. I can't remember how to write shall in shorthand. "will" is easy.

[raccoon]

29. It's a brief form, just The "ish" character. A short downstroke. Nt

[Generic Brad]

30. It makes thou wonder

[malthaussen]

31. Yes n/t

[Wolf Frankula]

32. I used to not, but now I think I shall

Wolf

[ismnotwasm]

34. Yup.

It’s a fun word

[Iggo]

35. I do all the time, or at least I try to, whenever I don't use the contraction "I'll," which is rare.

So all the time and rarely.

[Callmecrazy]

40. I think it's only supposed to be used with I and we...

"you shall" is incorrect.