Shall VS Will | Meaning, Difference, Examples & Exercises

Cutting through English grammar rules can be tricky—especially when it comes to using “shall” vs “will.”
Both words are used to express the future tense, but they differ in tone, formality, and regional use. Understanding how and when to use each can make your English sound more natural and precise.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

• The definition and meaning of shall and will

• How they differ in everyday use

• Practical examples for all tenses and persons

• Common mistakes and easy tips to avoid them

• Simple exercises and an answer key for practice

What Do Shall and Will Mean?

Let’s start with the basics — what these two modal verbs actually mean.

Definition of “Shall”

Shall is a modal verb used to indicate:

• Future actions (mostly in British English)

• Suggestions or offers (“Shall we dance?”)

• Formal obligations or rules (“The tenant shall pay rent on time.”)

It sounds more formal or polite and is often used in legal, official, or traditional contexts.

Definition of “Will”

Will is also a modal verb used to express:

• Future intentions or decisions (“I will call you later.”)

• Promises or determination (“I will always help you.”)

• Predictions (“It will rain tomorrow.”)

It’s the most common future marker in modern English, especially in American English.

In short:

• Will = normal way to express the future.

• Shall = formal or polite way, often used in offers, promises, or laws.

Basic Rules: When to Use Shall and When to Use Will

English grammar once made a strict rule about using shall and will — but modern usage has evolved. Here’s how to use them correctly today.

Expressing the Future

Traditionally:

• “I shall go to London tomorrow.”

• “You will go to London tomorrow.”

In modern English:

• “I will go to London tomorrow.” ✅ (preferred)

• “I shall go to London tomorrow.” (formal/old-fashioned)

Tip: Use will for most future statements.

Using Shall with “I” and “We”

In older grammar, shall was used with I/we for simple future tense:

• “I shall return soon.”

• “We shall see.”

However, will is now more common even with I/we.
Still, shall can make your tone formal or poetic.

Example:

• “We shall overcome.” (formal/emphatic)

• “We will win the match.” (modern/neutral)

Offers, Suggestions, and Polite Questions

This is where shall shines in modern English.

• “Shall I open the door?”

• “Shall we start the meeting?”

These express polite offers or suggestions and sound more natural than using will.

❌ “Will I open the door?” (incorrect in this context)
✅ “Shall I open the door?” (correct)

Promises, Determination, and Strong Intention

Use will to show strong intention or determination:

• “I will find a way to succeed.”

• “He will not give up easily.”

You can also use shall for emphasis or determination, but it’s rare:

• “You shall go to the ball!” (formal/dramatic)

Legal or Formal Writing

In contracts and laws, shall is still widely used to show obligation:

• “The employee shall report to duty by 9:00 AM.”

• “The buyer shall pay the full amount upon delivery.”

Here, shall means must.

In everyday English, replace shall with must or will for clarity.

Shall and Will Examples (With Contexts)

Let’s look at a few example sentences:

Everyday Usage

• “I will call you tomorrow.”

• “Shall I bring some snacks?”

• “He will help you with your project.”

• “We shall discuss this later.” (formal)

Questions and Offers

• “Shall we go for coffee?”

• “Shall I help you with your homework?”

Promises and Determination

• “I will always be there for you.”

• “You shall have justice.” (formal assurance)

Difference Between Shall and Will

Here’s a clearer comparison between the two:

Quick takeaway: Use will in most situations. Reserve shall for formal speech, offers, or legal obligations.

Uses of Shall and Will

Uses of “Shall”

1. Suggestions / Offers:
   “Shall we dance?”
   “Shall I call a doctor?”

2. Formal or Legal Obligations:
   “The parties shall comply with all terms.”

3. Determination / Promise:
   “You shall not pass!”

4. First-person formal statements:
   “I shall return soon.”

Uses of “Will”

1. Future Intentions:
   “I will meet you at the station.”

2. Promises and Commitments:
   “We will never forget this day.”

3. Predictions:
   “It will rain later today.”

4. Voluntary Actions:
   “I will help you with that.”

5. Habitual Actions / Certainty:
   “He will talk for hours about football.”

Modal Negatives

• Shall not → shan’t (formal / British, rarely used)

  • “I shan’t forget your kindness.”

• Will not → won’t (common and natural)

  • “I won’t go there again.”

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Regional and Historical Notes (British vs American English)

In British English, both shall and will are recognized. Shall sounds formal or traditional but is still correct.

In American English, will dominates. Shall appears mostly in:

• Legal writing

• Formal speeches

• Polite suggestions (“Shall we?”)

Example comparison:

• 🇬🇧 British: “I shall be late.” (formal but fine)

• 🇺🇸 American: “I will be late.” (normal)

Over time, shall has become less frequent in everyday American usage.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

1. ❌ Using shall for all future actions
   ✅ “I will go tomorrow.” (shall sounds outdated)

2. ❌ Using shall instead of should
   ✅ “You should apologize.” (shall changes meaning)

3. ❌ Overusing shall in casual conversation
   ✅ “Will” is more natural: “Will we meet later?” not “Shall we meet later?” (unless being polite)

4. ❌ Legal ambiguity
   ✅ Replace shall with “must” in legal writing for clarity:

   • “The employee must submit reports” is clearer than “shall submit.”

Exercises: Practice Using Shall and Will

Fill in the blanks with either shall or will:

1. ______ we go out for dinner tonight?

2. I ______ call you once I reach home.

3. You ______ follow all safety rules while working.

4. ______ I open the window?

5. They ______ complete the project before the deadline.

6. We ______ not forget this moment.

7. The student ______ submit the form by Friday.

8. ______ we begin the meeting now?

9. He ______ always support his team.

10. I ______ return before sunset.

Answer Key

1. Shall

2. Will

3. Shall

4. Shall

5. Will

6. Shall

7. Shall

8. Shall

9. Will

10. Shall

Quick Reference Chart (Cheat Sheet)

Use “Shall” for:

• Polite offers/suggestions (“Shall we?”)

• Formal obligations or rules (“You shall…”)

• Determined promises (“You shall see!”)

Use “Will” for:

• Everyday future statements

• Intentions, decisions, and promises

• Predictions and habits

FAQs

1. Is “shall” still used in modern English?

Yes — but mainly in formal British English or legal contexts. In casual speech, people prefer will.

2. Can I always use “will” instead of “shall”?

Almost always, yes. Using will is safer and more natural for modern English speakers.

3. When should I use “shall” in a question?

Use shall with “I” or “we” to make polite offers or suggestions:

• “Shall we begin?”

• “Shall I open the window?”

4. Why do contracts use “shall”?

Contracts use shall to show mandatory obligations, but modern legal writing now prefers must or is required to.

5. Is “shan’t” still common?

Not really. It’s used rarely in British English and sounds old-fashioned in American English.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• Use “will” for most future statements.

• Use “shall” for offers, suggestions, and formal obligations.

• Avoid “shall” in everyday American English unless you want a formal tone.

• Remember: Shall adds politeness or authority, while will shows certainty or intention.

When in doubt — use will. It’s natural, modern, and universally understood