shall

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Used with I or we to talk about the future.

   I shall call you when I arrive.

2. 2
   verb

   Used with I or we in questions to offer help or make a suggestion.

   Shall I give you a hand?

3. 3
   verb

   Used to express a strong promise, order, or obligation.

   You shall go to the ball!

From Middle English schal (infinitive schulen), from Old English sċeal (infinitive sċulan (“should, must”)), from Proto-West Germanic *skulan, from Proto-Germanic *skal (infinitive *skulaną), from Proto-Indo-European *skel- (“to owe, be under obligation”). Cognate with Scots sall, sal (“shall”), North Frisian skal, schal, Saterland Frisian skäl, schäl, schal (infinitive skälle, schälle), West Frisian sil (infinitive sille (“shall”)), Dutch zal (infinitive zullen (“shall”)), Low German schall (infinitive schölen (“shall”)), German soll (infinitive sollen (“ought to”)), Danish skal (infinitive s…

Topics