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Ruslana Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Is "shall" still being used?
Are UK speakers still using the auxiliary verb "shall"?
"Shall I bring you a cup of tea?"
I was learned to say this phrase in the approximately meaning of "Should I bring..."
But if the verb "shall" is not being used anymore, may be I can say: "Will I bring you a cup of tea?" Although it seems strange a little in that meaning, doesn't it?
In short I wonder if I can say "shall", "should" or "will" in the sentence above and what the difference is.
"Shall I bring you a cup of tea?"
I was learned to say this phrase in the approximately meaning of "Should I bring..."
But if the verb "shall" is not being used anymore, may be I can say: "Will I bring you a cup of tea?" Although it seems strange a little in that meaning, doesn't it?
In short I wonder if I can say "shall", "should" or "will" in the sentence above and what the difference is.
Top answer
" is used when you ask to help someone. " in this situation. The same with "should".
- " is used when you ask to help someone.
- " in this situation.
- The same with "should".
- Anyway, that's what I know.
- Hope anyone here can explain it more clearly!
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30 Answers
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Uhm, as I know, "Shall I..." is used when you ask to help someone. I've never met anyone use "Will I..." in this situation. The same with "should". Anyway, that's what I know. Hope anyone here can explain it more clearly!
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Thanks Tammy. I thought exactly the same you said. I wanted to make certain of it. :-)
But I still wonder if "shall" is being used now in Future Indefinite Tense with pronouns "I" and "we".
For example:
1. We shall do it.
2. I shall tell you.
Everybody says now: "We will do it" and "I will tell you", doesn't it? (don't they?) (I am not sure of the ending)
But I still wonder if "shall" is being used now in Future Indefinite Tense with pronouns "I" and "we".
For example:
1. We shall do it.
2. I shall tell you.
Everybody says now: "We will do it" and "I will tell you", doesn't it? (don't they?) (I am not sure of the ending)
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Uhm, you can use "will" instead of "shall" with I, we in Simple future tense. Modern English accepts it. But in formal situations or when talking with old people, using "I/We shall..." seem more ok!
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I understand. Thank you for the explanation!
Thanks!
I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, too! :-)
P.S. But actually we celebrate the Nativity on 7th January in Russia. And before it we celebrate New Year, our main feast. :-)
Thanks!
I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, too! :-)
P.S. But actually we celebrate the Nativity on 7th January in Russia. And before it we celebrate New Year, our main feast. :-)
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Wow... I've never heard about Nativity before. Is it like Christmas festival? I love New Year party because I was born on January 1st!
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A nice birth date! :-D
Yes, Nativity is like Christmas festival. But we don't celebrate it in such a big way like your Christmas or our New Year festivals. That is because of USSR ideology, what persecuted all the existed religions... A lot of Russian people got out of the habit of celebrating religious festivals. But we are coming back to it little by little... Thank ***. :-)
Sorry
Yes, Nativity is like Christmas festival. But we don't celebrate it in such a big way like your Christmas or our New Year festivals. That is because of USSR ideology, what persecuted all the existed religions... A lot of Russian people got out of the habit of celebrating religious festivals. But we are coming back to it little by little... Thank ***. :-)
Sorry
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Yes Ruslana, "shall" (this is the polite form) is still used, though not as widely as it was...
You can use shall:
I yes
You no
He / She / It no
We yes
You no
They no
Hope this helps...
You can use shall:
I yes
You no
He / She / It no
We yes
You no
They no
Hope this helps...
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Hello!
I got confused here. First of all "shall" has two meanings, right? 1. shall = will. E.g. I shall marry you next year. (Something you will do in the future.) 2. shall = should/ supposed to. E.g. My teacher said I shall wait here until he comes back with my paper. (I am supposed to wait, he told me I should) Or: Buy flowers, dress nicely, org
I got confused here. First of all "shall" has two meanings, right? 1. shall = will. E.g. I shall marry you next year. (Something you will do in the future.) 2. shall = should/ supposed to. E.g. My teacher said I shall wait here until he comes back with my paper. (I am supposed to wait, he told me I should) Or: Buy flowers, dress nicely, org
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