What is difference between shall and will
by Yogi P - October 19, 2023
Difference Between Shall and Will
Many English learners often mix up the words “shall” and “will” and are unsure of when to use each one. To help demystify the two words, let’s look at their meanings and usages in sentences.
Shall
Shall is a modal verb and is often used as a form of polite expression. As a modal verb, shall is used to outline the obligations, prospects, and prospects of a future event, or to ask for advice or direction.
In Aristotelian logic, shall is associated with propositions of obligation. Shall is also used as an auxiliary verb in conditional sentences to express potential or probability.
For example:
- If I shall live, I will visit France someday.
When used as a conjunction, shall is placed before the main verb in affirmative sentences and expresses the intention of fulfilling a promise or obligation.
For example:
- I shall strive to be successful in my studies.
Will
Just like shall, will is also a modal verb, but often expresses willfulness, consent, resolution, or promise. When used as an auxiliary verb in the future tense, will expresses an intention, plan, prediction, or promise of an event.
For example:
- My brother will visit me later this evening.
When used as an auxiliary verb in conditional sentences, will expresses a potential event.
For example:
- If our team wins the tournament, we will celebrate.
Table Summarising the Difference between Shall and Will
| Word | Shall | Will |
| Meaning | Expresses the obligations, prospects and intentions of a future event. | Expresses willfulness, consent, resolution, or promise. |
| Usage | Used as a modal verb and conjunction. | Used as an auxiliary verb in the future tense and in conditional sentences. |
| Examples | If I shall live, I will visit France someday. I shall strive to be successful in my studies. |
My brother will visit me later this evening. If our team wins the tournament, we will celebrate. |
Difference between Shall and Will – Meaning and Usage
The primary difference between shall and will is in their meanings and usages. Shall expresses obligation, promises, and expectations of a future event, while will expresses willfulness, consent, resolution, or promise of an event.
In terms of usages, shall is used as a modal verb and conjunction, and will is used as an auxiliary verb in the future tense and in conditional sentences.
Examples of Difference between Shall and Will
- You shall obey the laws of the land.
- We will go to the beach tomorrow.
- If I shall have the strength, I will finish the project.
- If the weather improves, we will plan a picnic.
Difference between “shall” and “will”:
| Aspect | Shall | Will |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Mood | Modal verb | Modal verb |
| Future Tense | Generally used to express future actions for first-person subjects (I and we) | Used to express future actions for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) |
| Usage | Traditionally used for offering or suggesting, making a formal request, or indicating a future action | Used for indicating a future action, making predictions, and expressing determination |
| Politeness | Historically used to form questions and express politeness in offers or suggestions | Less formal and more commonly used for general statements |
| Example | I shall meet you at 2 PM. | He will arrive later today. |
| Legal Usage | Used in legal documents, contracts, or agreements to express an obligation or requirement | Less commonly used in legal or formal contexts |
| Synonyms | Will, intend, propose | Shall, be going to, intend |
| Variants | Shall not (shan’t) | Will not (won’t) |
Activity to Enhance Understanding
To enhance your understanding of how to use these words correctly, try to identify how they are used in news reports and other formal documents. Analyze the sentences and see if you can determine if the appropriate word is being used in the right context.
Conclusion
Shall and will are two commonly confused English words, but understanding the differences between them is critical for successful communication. By getting familiar with their meanings and usages in various contexts, we can ensure that we use these words correctly in our sentences.
