Learn the correct use of Shall and Will

Use of SHALL and WILL

Shall or Will? This is one of the most common confusions while speaking or writing English. Here, we give you an easy guide to solve the dilemma:

Read the following table carefully:

	Ist Person(I, we, our, mine etc.)	2nd/3rd Person (you, your, he, she, it etc.)
Shall	Demonstrates simple futurity	Threat/Definite things/Promise/Command/Determination
Will	Threat/ Promise/Intention/Determination	Demonstrates simple futurity

From the above table we deduce that:

1. Shall when used with first person, expresses simple future tense. But it is possible only in the case of assertive sentences.
    Example: I shall go to market.

2. Shall can be used with second/third person (i.e. you, your, he, she, it etc.) when conveying following senses:

a. Sense of threat:
    Example: You shall be punished if you do not mend your ways.

b) Sense of a promise:
    Example: He shall be rewarded for his honesty.

c) Sense of an order:
    Example: You shall have to take an action against the anti-social elements.

d) Sense of a certainty or determination:
    Example: If you score well, you shall get a new watch.

3. Will does just the opposite of Shall.

When used with second and third persons “will” expresses simple future tense, in an assertive sentence.

i) You will cook the food today.
ii) She will make a nice painting.

4. When used with first person, "will" conveys:

a) Sense of threat:
    Example: I will take your cards away.

b) Sense of promise:
    Example: I will surely take the children out today.

c) Sense of determination:
    Example: I will not let them rob me of my peace.

d) Sense of intention:
    Example: I will buy the vegetables while returning.

Given below are some of the common mistakes in the usage of shall and will. Also provided is the correct way to speak/ write a sentence.

a.) I am sorry, I will not be able to make it to the event. – Incorrect.
    I am sorry, I shall not be able to make it to the event. – Correct.

Reason : We mean simple futurity here, using “will” with first person demonstrates Threat/     Promise/Intention/Determination

b.) You shall know the score tomorrow. - Incorrect
    You will know the score tomorrow. - Correct

Reason : We mean simple futurity here. Using “shall” with second person demonstrates Threat/
Promise/Intention/Determination

S.N.	Incorrect	Correct
1.	I will forgive him if he will tell me the truth.	I shall forgive him if he tells me the truth.
2.	If you do not practice hard, you will lose.	If you do not practice hard, you shall lose.
3.	If you do not mend your ways, you will be dismissed from the team.	If you do not mend your ways, you shall be dismissed from the team.
4.	Unless you fix the problem, I shall not let you go.	Unless you fix the problem, I will not let you know.
5.	We will go to Australia during the summer vacation.	We shall go to Australia during the summer vacation.
6.	“Tomorrow will be a meeting,” said the boss.	“Tomorrow shall be a meeting,” said the boss.
7.	Shall he appear in the competition this year ?	Will he appear in the competition this year ?
8.	As soon as the teacher arrives, all of you will stand up.	As soon as the teacher arrives, all of you shall stand.
9.	Master shall be on leave tomorrow.	Master will be on leave tomorrow.
10.	We shall certainly get the train.	We will certainly get the train.
11.	We shall never oppose you.	We will never oppose you.