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Glorfindel

(10,172 posts)

9. What an interesting question.

Fri May 8, 2020, 01:35 PM

May 2020

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!

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Does anybody use the word "shall" anymore? [View all] raccoon May 2020 OP

Used in legal and legislative language all the time. A big issue in terms of "shall" vs "may" hlthe2b May 2020 #1

Yup software requirements documents use "shall" and "should" Shermann May 2020 #15

I went to the wall once over meaning of 'shall' Cirque du So-What May 2020 #20

I have heard some of the most ignorant RW politicos arguing the same (oxymoron, I know) hlthe2b May 2020 #23

Guess you and your friends were certain at the time SCantiGOP May 2020 #33

I do when I'm doing my 'stuffy Brit' voice. Aristus May 2020 #2

Haven't used it in a fortnight myself. Shan't be using it soon, either. ret5hd May 2020 #3

I use shan't more than shall. TXPaganBanker May 2020 #6

"We Shan't Work Together Again" Shermann May 2020 #16

I use "shall." Shall we leave...shall we dine..shall we go... delisen May 2020 #4

I hear it more often than "shan't", I think. n/t sl8 May 2020 #5

...methinks. "I hear it more often than "shan't", methinks." ret5hd May 2020 #7

Mesorry, methanks. n/t sl8 May 2020 #27

I use the terms "should/shall" and "may/must" in different professional contexts RainCaster May 2020 #8

What an interesting question. Glorfindel May 2020 #9

"I will not cease from mental fight/nor shall my sword sleep in my hand/ CTyankee May 2020 #36

I have always thought Mr. Blake got hold of some good stash Glorfindel May 2020 #37

Thanks. I love watching the Queen sing the line "dark, satanic mills." CTyankee May 2020 #38

Indeed it does. n/t Glorfindel May 2020 #39

Not since I stopped talking to Levon. n/t Yavin4 May 2020 #10

The word shall compells action. guillaumeb May 2020 #11

All the time when I quote "the commandments"... n/t PoliticAverse May 2020 #12

Yeah, but that's frozen language. It's not people talking in RL. Nt raccoon May 2020 #13

The only "real life" use I recall -when I tell someone "I shall do that later/tomorrow/after..." n/t PoliticAverse May 2020 #14

I shall. NT mahatmakanejeeves May 2020 #17

my coworker from India uses it KayF May 2020 #18

Occasionally, along with tis. LizBeth May 2020 #19

British people and Indians use it frequently. Many people use "shill" to address me... NNadir May 2020 #21

Prolly not, elleng May 2020 #22

Still common in Great Britain. nt tblue37 May 2020 #24

BTW, even in U.S. English, we still say, "Shall we go?" and "Shall we?" nt tblue37 May 2020 #25

Only to that bald guy with the funny accent..... whistler162 May 2020 #26

I can't remember how to write shall in shorthand. "will" is easy. patricia92243 May 2020 #28

It's a brief form, just The "ish" character. A short downstroke. Nt raccoon May 2020 #29

It makes thou wonder Generic Brad May 2020 #30

Yes n/t malthaussen May 2020 #31

I used to not, but now I think I shall Wolf Frankula May 2020 #32

Yup. ismnotwasm May 2020 #34

I do all the time, or at least I try to, whenever I don't use the contraction "I'll," which is rare. Iggo May 2020 #35

I think it's only supposed to be used with I and we... Callmecrazy May 2020 #40