Modal verbs: SHALL

SHALL/SHAN’T(shall not)

  • Used for offering help, suggesting something.
    “Shall I help you with your essay?” (you are offering help)
    “Shall I make more tea?” (suggestion)
  • Used for saying what you intend to do in the future of what situation you expect to be in.
    “We shall be busy all day tomorrow”
    “If the situation gets worse, I shall call the police”
  • Promises
    “You shall be the first person to know”
  • Used for asking for advice when you cannot decide what to do.
    What shall we do?”
    How shall we manage while you are away?”
    “Where shall we meet?” (you are asking what to do)
  • Shall have + past participle = used for the future perfect and shows that an action will be completed before a particular time in the future:
    “We shall have finished that essay by Monday”

Compare these two sentences:
You are at a party but tomorrow is Saturday and you don’t need to wake up early. So, you say:
“Shall we order some more drinks?” (suggestion)
You are at a party but tomorrow you have to get up at 6am. So, you say:
“Should we order some more drinks?” (advice)

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