Shall
modal verb
Used in formal situations or written laws to say what is definitely going to happen in the future.
All tenants shall pay their rent on time.
Often appears as...
- shall be
- shall have
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
modal verb
Used to make a strong suggestion or express an intention in future.
You shall regret it if you do not start studying now.
Often appears as...
- shall we
- we shall
modal verb
Used in questions to make an offer or suggestion, or to ask for advice.
Shall we go out for dinner?
Often appears as...
- shall we
- shall i
modal verb
Used to make commands or orders.
You shall not pass!
Often appears as...
- shall not
- thou shall
Usage tips
Formal
modal verb
Used in formal situations or written laws to say what is definitely going to happen in the future.
All tenants shall pay their rent on time.
Often appears as...
- shall be
- shall have
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
modal verb
Used to make a strong suggestion or express an intention in future.
You shall regret it if you do not start studying now.
Often appears as...
- shall we
- we shall
modal verb
Used in questions to make an offer or suggestion, or to ask for advice.
Shall we go out for dinner?
Often appears as...
- shall we
- shall i
modal verb
Used to make commands or orders.
You shall not pass!
Often appears as...
- shall not
- thou shall
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Certainty
Often signals required actions in contracts, indicating obligations with no room for discretion.
Tenants shall provide notice before vacating.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Future
Implies a formal tone when making statements about the future, often used in official contexts.
The ceremony shall begin at noon.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Commonly Spoken
Rarely used in everyday conversation; 'will' is more common, especially in American English.
Directors shall meet annually.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Certainty
Often signals required actions in contracts, indicating obligations with no room for discretion.
Tenants shall provide notice before vacating.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Future
Implies a formal tone when making statements about the future, often used in official contexts.
The ceremony shall begin at noon.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Commonly Spoken
Rarely used in everyday conversation; 'will' is more common, especially in American English.
Directors shall meet annually.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Certainty
Often signals required actions in contracts, indicating obligations with no room for discretion.
Tenants shall provide notice before vacating.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Future
Implies a formal tone when making statements about the future, often used in official contexts.
The ceremony shall begin at noon.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Commonly Spoken
Rarely used in everyday conversation; 'will' is more common, especially in American English.
Directors shall meet annually.
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Video examples
Discovering Wildlife in...
War, and even more so after the Second World War. The plants just took over. and one of those main ones is the Sycamore, just because it's such a fast growing species. Shall we see if we can find some of those parrots, those parakeets, if we can find the parakeets, we might be able to find some of their nest holes.
Video examples
How we conquered the...
he heard a dairy maid say, "I shall never have smallpox, for I have had cowpox. I shall never have an ugly, pockmarked face." Cowpox is a skin disease that resembles smallpox and infects cows. Later on, as a physician, he realized that she was right, women who got cowpox didn't develop
Video examples
Nirmalya Kumar: India's...
ahead of the developing world, with the more sophisticated, innovative tasks being done in the developed world, and the less sophisticated, shall we say, drudge work being done in the developing world. Now, what we were trying to understand was, is this true?
Video examples
John Bohannon: Dance vs....
Of course someday, in the deep future, a technology of persuasion even more powerful than PowerPoint may be invented, rendering dancers unnecessary as tools of rhetoric. However, I trust that by that day, we shall have passed this present financial calamity.
Video examples
Adam Sadowsky engineers...
in the building of this thing months were spent in this tiny cold warehouse and with wonderful elation that we that we had when we finally completed it so it's important to remember that whether it's good or it's bad this too shall pass thank you very much
Video examples
Why the universe seems...
I don't think we shall have to avail ourselves of that, because I suspect that life is quite common in the universe. And when I say quite common, it could still be so rare that no one island of life ever encounters another, which is a sad thought.
Video examples
Why we have too few...
and equal responsibility also have half the divorce rate. And if that wasn't good enough motivation for everyone out there, they also have more -- how shall I say this on this stage? They know each other more in the biblical sense as well.
Video examples
We need women in...
the tough leader that can keep can wrangle all those differences of opinion and yet the nurturing supportive mother and grandmother well some people don't think I do that balance well enough that I am more strong shall we say than maybe
Video examples
Watch This Veteran Fly...
have a number of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren be there dear shall we participate with us and actually get
Video examples
Sangu Delle: In praise...
and hopefully helping achieve this. Africa shall rise. Thank you.
Video examples
Discovering Wildlife in...
War, and even more so after the Second World War. The plants just took over. and one of those main ones is the Sycamore, just because it's such a fast growing species. Shall we see if we can find some of those parrots, those parakeets, if we can find the parakeets, we might be able to find some of their nest holes.
Video examples
How we conquered the...
he heard a dairy maid say, "I shall never have smallpox, for I have had cowpox. I shall never have an ugly, pockmarked face." Cowpox is a skin disease that resembles smallpox and infects cows. Later on, as a physician, he realized that she was right, women who got cowpox didn't develop
Video examples
Nirmalya Kumar: India's...
ahead of the developing world, with the more sophisticated, innovative tasks being done in the developed world, and the less sophisticated, shall we say, drudge work being done in the developing world. Now, what we were trying to understand was, is this true?
Video examples
John Bohannon: Dance vs....
Of course someday, in the deep future, a technology of persuasion even more powerful than PowerPoint may be invented, rendering dancers unnecessary as tools of rhetoric. However, I trust that by that day, we shall have passed this present financial calamity.
Video examples
Adam Sadowsky engineers...
in the building of this thing months were spent in this tiny cold warehouse and with wonderful elation that we that we had when we finally completed it so it's important to remember that whether it's good or it's bad this too shall pass thank you very much
Video examples
Why the universe seems...
I don't think we shall have to avail ourselves of that, because I suspect that life is quite common in the universe. And when I say quite common, it could still be so rare that no one island of life ever encounters another, which is a sad thought.
Video examples
Why we have too few...
and equal responsibility also have half the divorce rate. And if that wasn't good enough motivation for everyone out there, they also have more -- how shall I say this on this stage? They know each other more in the biblical sense as well.
Video examples
We need women in...
the tough leader that can keep can wrangle all those differences of opinion and yet the nurturing supportive mother and grandmother well some people don't think I do that balance well enough that I am more strong shall we say than maybe
Video examples
Watch This Veteran Fly...
have a number of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren be there dear shall we participate with us and actually get
Video examples
Sangu Delle: In praise...
and hopefully helping achieve this. Africa shall rise. Thank you.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
George Armstrong Custer
American Soldier
You ask me if I will not be glad when the last battle is fought, so far as the country is concerned I, of course, must wish for peace, and will be glad when the war is ended, but if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end.
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.
Quote examples
William Butler Yeats
Irish Poet
Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die.
Quote examples
Buddha
Leader
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
Quote examples
Henry Miller
American Author
Until we accept the fact that life itself is founded in mystery, we shall learn nothing.
Quote examples
Louisa May Alcott
American Novelist
Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.
Quote examples
Aldous Huxley
English Novelist
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.
Quote examples
Lillie Langtry
British Actress
I know I am at the end. I shall never get better, dear.
Quote examples
Paul Cezanne
French Artist
The truth is in nature, and I shall prove it.
Quote examples
Frederic Chopin
Polish Composer
I shall create a new world for myself.
Quote examples
George Armstrong Custer
American Soldier
You ask me if I will not be glad when the last battle is fought, so far as the country is concerned I, of course, must wish for peace, and will be glad when the war is ended, but if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end.
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.
Quote examples
William Butler Yeats
Irish Poet
Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die.
Quote examples
Buddha
Leader
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
Quote examples
Henry Miller
American Author
Until we accept the fact that life itself is founded in mystery, we shall learn nothing.
Quote examples
Louisa May Alcott
American Novelist
Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.
Quote examples
Aldous Huxley
English Novelist
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.
Quote examples
Lillie Langtry
British Actress
I know I am at the end. I shall never get better, dear.
Quote examples
Paul Cezanne
French Artist
The truth is in nature, and I shall prove it.
Quote examples
Frederic Chopin
Polish Composer
I shall create a new world for myself.
Example 1 of 10
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