Submitted by toni (not verified) on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 15:29.
Priya, I suppose you MUST use British English, although I find "shall" to be a cumbersome word.
You may use "shall" in the context of a voluntary offer of help ("shall I do the washing up?") as well as for an unavoidable and undesired course of action (Oh dear, the car won't start. I suppose I shall have to take the bus."), asking opinions ("Shall I wear this dress?"), a formal commitment ("we shall cut taxes to stimulate the economy"), as a threat or warning ("If you don't stop pinching Mary I shall tell your mother"), or even in a prediction ("I wonder what I shall be when I grow up?). Never in a deduction, though ("That will be my mother calling to see if I have left yet.").
American English would eliminate the "shall" in the above examples and use "Can I do the dishes for you?," "I'll have to take the bus," and "will" in the other examples, as well.
I am unfamiliar with your suggestion that the form changes based on the certainty of the action. Could you please give examples?
Priya, I suppose you MUST use British English, although I find "shall" to be a cumbersome word.
You may use "shall" in the context of a voluntary offer of help ("shall I do the washing up?") as well as for an unavoidable and undesired course of action (Oh dear, the car won't start. I suppose I shall have to take the bus."), asking opinions ("Shall I wear this dress?"), a formal commitment ("we shall cut taxes to stimulate the economy"), as a threat or warning ("If you don't stop pinching Mary I shall tell your mother"), or even in a prediction ("I wonder what I shall be when I grow up?). Never in a deduction, though ("That will be my mother calling to see if I have left yet.").
American English would eliminate the "shall" in the above examples and use "Can I do the dishes for you?," "I'll have to take the bus," and "will" in the other examples, as well.
I am unfamiliar with your suggestion that the form changes based on the certainty of the action. Could you please give examples?
Peace,
Toni