Mayo

01/05/2014

HAVE TOIn British English, we often use 'have got to' to mean the same as 'have to'.

I've got to take this book back to the library or I'll get a fine. We've got to finish now as somebody else needs this room.

We can also use ' will have to' to talk about strong obligations. Like 'must' this usually means that that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary. (Remember that 'will' is often used to show 'willingness'.)

I'll have to speak to him. We'll have to have lunch and catch up on all the gossip. They'll have to do something about it. I'll have to get back to you on that.

As you can see, the differences between the present forms are sometimes very small and very subtle. However, there is a huge difference in the negative forms.

We use 'mustn't' to express strong obligations NOT to do something. We mustn't talk about it. It's confidential. I mustn't eat chocolate. It's bad for me. You mustn't phone me at work. We aren't allowed personal calls. They mustn't see us talking or they'll suspect something.

We use 'don't have to' (or 'haven't got to' in British English) to state that there is NO obligation or necessity.

We don't have to get there on time. The boss is away today. I don't have to listen to this. I'm leaving. You don't have to come if you don't want to. He doesn't have to sign anything if he doesn't want to at this stage. I haven't got to go. Only if I want to

02/05/2014

USING "HAVE TO" IN PRESENT, PAST, AND FUTURE

"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to

learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.

Use Positive Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can also use:

Have to CERTAINT

Y

1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.

2. That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street.

3. NONE

1. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair.

2. SHIFT TO "MUST" That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere.

3. NONE

must, have got to

Have to NECESSIT

Y

1. She has to read four books for this literature class.

2. She had to finish the first book before the midterm.

3. She will have to finish the other books before the final exam.

1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit.

2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class.

3. She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course.

must

05/05/2014

HAVE SENTENCE EXAMPLES

Still, watching Carmen with Destiny had made him aware that she still didn't have the one thing she had wanted.

She still wouldn't have the experience of pregnancy or childbirth, but those things might not have been all she thought they would be.

Maybe she had never suspected Spanish heritage because his features weren't what she would have considered Spanish.

Only now could he realize what a mistake it would have been to marry Tessa.

It might be their last chance to have a biological child.

They were using an unnatural method to circumvent God's decision - that they would not have a child of their own.

If he hadn't been so sophisticated, it might have been a thought to ponder - but at that point any idea of him quitting his job as a top salesman and moving to Arkansas to become a veterinarian would have been ludicrous.

It wasn't simply a financial thing, as he would have her believe.

He'd have to leave someone in charge when they all went to his father's home in Texas for Christmas.

Maybe it would have been different if mama had lived to see her married. 

She and Dad would have loved Alex.

They have two fertilized eggs and they want final consent. 

Only this time she would have to decide. 

Sometimes we have to accept change if we want to move forward.

06/05/2014

MUST & HAVE TO SENTENCES

Tom mustn’t go there.Tom doesn’t have to go there.We mustn’t tell it.We don’t have to study.You don’t have to take those pills.You mustn’t take those pills.Children must obey their parents.Sam must come to work early.Sam doesn’t have to come to work early.Sam mustn’t come to work early.I must be at the station at 10.I don’t have to be at the station at 10.You don’t have to do that.You mustn’t do that.When must I do it?Must I brush my teeth tonight?We don’t have to tell Tom.The students don’t have to bring their books.We have to wear a suit at work.We don’t have to wear a suit at work.You mustn’t wear jeans at work.

07/05/2014

HAVE GOT TO"Have got to" is used to express necessity and obligation.

Examples:

Drivers have got to get a license to drive a car in the US. NECESSITY

I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM. OBLIGATION

Is have got acceptable English grammar? When can you

use have or have got in English?

In this post, I answer these questions and more! I explain when you can

use have or have got, the correct form of have got (hint: “Does she

have got?” is NOT the correct question form!), and also when you can’t

use have got!

08/05/2014

IN SPOKEN AND INFORMAL WRITTEN ENGLISH

To have got can be used instead of have in these four situations:

1. To talk about things we own or possess

We have a house in Vancouver.

We’ve got a house in Vancouver.

She doesn’t have any money.

She hasn’t got any money.

He has a new car!

He’s got a new car!

Do you have a minute?

Have you got a minute?

I don’t have time right now.

I haven’t got time right now.

I have an idea!

I’ve got an idea! 

2. To talk about family and relationships

I have a new boyfriend.

I’ve got a new boyfriend.

Mike doesn’t have any brothers.

Mike hasn’t got any brothers.

Do you have any children?

Have you got any children?

3. To describe people and physical characteristics

Carol has brown eyes.

Carol’s got brown eyes.

He doesn’t have blond hair.

He hasn’t got blond hair.

Does your sister have long hair?

Has your sister got long hair?

4. To talk about illness or to say that you don’t feel well

I have a bad cold.I’ve got a bad cold.She doesn’t have a headache anymore.She hasn’t got a headache anymore.

Do you have the flu?Have you got the flu? 

09/05/2014

GRAMMAR FOR HAVE GOT

Have got CANNOT be used for any other use of have (for

example, talking about actions and experiences):

I usually have dinner at 18:00.

NOT: I usually have got dinner at 18:00

Have got is ONLY used in the present simple tense. It CANNOT

be used in any other tense:

I had a bad cold last week.

NOT: I had got a bad cold last week.

Continuous / progressive forms are NOT possible with these

meanings of have and have got.

Have got has NOTHING to do with get. It is NOT the present

perfect form of get. [In North American English, have gotten is

the present perfect of get.]

Sometimes have is left out of have got in SPOKEN English (it is not acceptable to leave out have in written English).Here are some examples:Got Milk?This is a popular advertising campaign for milk in North America. It should be “Have you got milk?Got a minute?In English ‘a minute’ is often used to mean ‘a short amount of time.’ People often say: ‘Got a minute?’ which is short for ‘Do you have a minute?’ or ‘Have you got a minute?’I Gotta FeelingThis is the title of a song by the Black Eyed Peas. It should actually be ‘I have got a feeling. ’Gotta is not a proper English word. It is what native speakers sometimes SAY instead of ‘got a’ or ‘got to.’

12/05/2014

GRAMMAR II USE HAVE GOT

o Positive I, You, We, They HAVE

Subject + have + objects.

They have a new car. There is no contracted form

o Positive He, She, It HAVE

Subject + have + objects

She has a new car. There is no contracted form

o Question I, You, We, They HAVE GOT

(?) + have + subject + got?

How many children have you got? There is no contracted form

o Question He, She, It HAVE GOT

(?) + has + subject + got?

How many children has he got? There is no contracted form

o Question I, You, We, They HAVE

(?) + do + subject + have?

How many children do you have? There is no contracted form

o Question He, She, It HAVE

(?) + does + subject + have?

How many children does he have? There is no contracted form

o Negative I, You, We, They HAVE GOT

Subject + have + not + got + objects

We have not got a dog. Contraction: We haven't got a dog.

o Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT

Subject + has + not + got + objects

She has not got a dog. Contraction: She hasn't got a dog.

o Negative I, You, We, They HAVE

Subject + do + not + have + objects

They do not have a dog. Contraction: They don't have a dog.

o Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT

Subject + does + not + have + objects

She does not have a dog. Contraction: She doesn't have a dog.

13/05/2014

MAY

"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.

We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English

May I borrow your pen? May we think about it? May I go now?

We use 'may' to suggest something is possible

It may rain later today. I may not have time to do it today. Pete may come with us.

Example sentences for may:

They may yet come back into the national spotlight if they maintain momentum.

Watermelon, the quintessential summer fruit, may soon be helping to fuel your car as well as your picnic guests.

City dwellers may handle pressure differently from those who live in less populated areas.

Observatories or individual sky watchers may be asked to take a look. For a quick, inexpensive support for climbing plants, build a simple tipi

of natural materials you mayalready have.

14/05/2014

USING "MAY" IN PRESENT, PAST, AND FUTURE

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3.

Negative Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. =

You can also

= Future Future use:

MayPOSSIBILITY

1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired.

2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or tired.

3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth.

1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.

2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired.

3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth

might

MayGIVE PERMISSION

1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with your dinner.

2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner.

3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner.

1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with your dinner yet.

2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner.

3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner.

can

MayREQUEST PERMISSION

May I borrow your eraser?

May I make a phone call?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

NO NEGATIVE FORMS can, might

15/05/2014

MIGHT

"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.

We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may' in spoken English.

She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all. It might rain this afternoon. I might not have time to go to the shops for you. I might not go.

For the past, we use 'might have'.

He might have tried to call while I was out. I might have dropped it in the street.

Examples:

Your purse might be in the living room. POSSIBILITY

If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. CONDITIONAL

You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. SUGGESTION

Might I borrow your pen? REQUEST

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" 

"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.

Examples:

Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.

Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.

16/05/2014

USING "MIGHT" IN PRESENT, PAST, AND FUTUREMost modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can also use:

might POSSIBILITY

1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having problems.

2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work.

3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride.

1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.

2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home.

3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill.

could, may

might CONDITIONAL OF MAY

1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.

2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won.

3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it.

1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.

2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won.

3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win.

might SUGGESTION

1. NO PRESENT FORM

2. You might have tried the cheese cake.

3. You might try the cheesecake.

1. NO PRESENT FORM

2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON

3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific.

could

might REQUEST

(British form)

Might I have something to drink?

Might I borrow the stapler?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

 NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON

could, may, can

19/05/2014

May and Might Examples

"Might and "may" can technically have the same meaning when using them in sentences. A lot of the time when using one of these in sentences, you can switch them and the sentence will still make sense. 

Examples: "You might want to have a look at this." "You may want to have a look at this." 

"You might want to take this with you." "You may want to take this with you." 

However: "Try as he might, he couldn't" "Try as he may, he couldn't" 

It depends on which using of "might" or "may" you are using, but if it is used in an opinion type sentence, it makes sense if you use either one. 

May and might are both modal verbs.

May is usually slightly more certain than might, but there is little difference.

We use may to suggest something is possible. May is rather formal and might is more usual in Spoken English.

Both can be used:

Examples:In England, unexpected guests may/might be offered some tea.

In future, people may/might not need to travel to business meetings.

Life when my parents were young may/might have been less demanding than it is now.

We use May

1. Ask for permission.

Example: May I borrow your pen?

2. To suggest something is possible.

Example: Andrew may come with us. (Because he is not sure, but he thinks 75 %)

We use might to suggest a small possibility of something.

Examples:I might go to Susan’s party. (15%, I don’t think so)My parents might be at home by now but it’s not sure at all. (they have been to a party till late) 

Might is the past tense of may. We only use might when we reffering to the past.

Example: George might have gone to the party.

This is the second part of your question: How should I resolve the confusion between using these words everytime: ‘Will’ and ‘Would’, ‘Shall’ and ‘Should’, ‘May’ and ‘Might’?

20/05/2014

Ought To

"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."

• to express the view that something is the right thing to do, because it’s morally correct, polite, or someone’s duty:

You ought to admit that you made a mistake.They ought not to be allowed to damage property without paying compensation.

• to predict that something is fairly likely or expected, based on normal circumstances or logic:

Our long-delayed mail is on the way from France and ought to arrive today.The weather oughtn’t to be cold in May.

• to offer or ask for advice or recommendations:

If you haven’t read the book then you ought to see the movie.What ought to be done to improve things?

Examples:

You ought to stop smoking. RECOMMENDATION

Jim ought to get the promotion. IT IS EXPECTED BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT.

This stock ought to increase in value. PROBABILITY

Mark ought not drink so much. ADVICE AGAINST SOMETHING (NOTICE THERE IS NO "TO")

21/05/2014

USING "OUGHT TO" IN PRESENT, PAST, AND FUTURE

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can also use:

ought to RECOMMENDATION, ADVICE

1. Margaret ought to exercise more.

2. Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared for the marathon.

3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight.

1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause injury.

2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape.

3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us.

should

ought to ASSUMPTION, EXPECTATION, PROBABILITY

1. She ought to have the package by now.

2. She ought to have received the package yesterday.

3. She ought to receive the package tonight.

Notice "Ought not"Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not."

Examples:

You ought not smoke so much.

She ought not take such risks while skiing.

They ought not carry so much cash while traveling.

21/05/2014

EXAMPLE SENTENCES FOR OUGHT

Whatever is the defining idea of the next decade, it ought to be free.

If the oceans came primarily from comets, the proportion ought to be

closer.

There ought to be an immediate ban on the use of chimpanzees.

There ought to be more supervision of the fast-food joints.

Every drop of rain that falls in this thirsty part of the country ought to

go in the land.

In other words, different diagnoses ought to reflect different disorders.

We ought to be asking a different question altogether.

We'd then be able to say, there's something community

colleges ought to fix.

In the process, it will reinvent our concept of what personal computing

is, has been and ought to become.

Participants ought to meet the following requirements:.

But that-with one hand tied behind their back-is precisely how

democracies ought to fight terrorism.

Tobin has written a history of flight that ought to become the standard

for his generation.

So whatever shape the dark matter takes, such as a ring, it ought to

carry galaxies with it.

There ought to be a medium beyond the limits of the universe into

which it can expand.

The line between science, magic and sheer fun is a thin one and

that ought to be exploited.

21/05/2014

Should

Here are the three main meanings of should:

• to talk about what we think is the right or correct thing to do, especially from the point of view of duty or appropriateness:

All employees should be provided with a proper job description.Children shouldn’t be allowed to watch too much TV.

• to give or ask for advice or suggestions:

I told Kathy she should try to get some rest.Can you recommend any exercises, or should I see a doctor?

• to predict that something will probably happen or is expected to be the case, based on logic or a typical situation:

My sister’s on her way, she should be here soon.By next month I should have enough money to buy a car.

"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

Examples:

When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. RECOMMENDATION

You should focus more on your family and less on work. ADVICE

I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. OBLIGATION

By now, they should already be in Dubai. EXPECTATION

21/05/2014

USING "SHOULD" IN PRESENT, PAST, AND FUTUREMost modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can also use:

should RECOMMENDATION, ADVISABILITY

1. People with high cholesterol should eat low-fat foods.

2. Frank should have eaten low-fat foods. That might have prevented his heart attack.

3. You really should start eating better.

1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much. It's not good for her health.

2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so much. That's what caused her health problems.

3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when she visits Martha next week. Martha hates when people smoke in her house.

ought to

should OBLIGATION

I should be at work before 9:00.

We should return the video before the video rental store closes.

"SHOULD" CAN ALSO EXPRESS SOMETHING BETWEEN RECOMMENDATION AND OBLIGATION. "BE SUPPOSED TO" EXPRESSES A SIMILAR IDEA AND CAN EASILY BE USED IN THE PAST OR IN NEGATIVE FORMS.

 NO NEGATIVE FORMS

be supposed to

should EXPECTATION

1. Susan should be in New York by now.

2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week. Let's call her and see what she is up to.

3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new job starts on Monday.

1. Susan shouldn't be in New York yet.

2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in New York until yesterday.

3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New York until next week.

ought to, be supposed to

21/05/2014

Must, should, or ought?While the viewpoint behind it may be outdated, this famous quotation is a neat way of illustrating one of the main uses of ought, namely expressing the speaker’s view as to a correct or dutiful course of action, often imbued with a tinge of social rectitude.

As you may know, ought is a special type of verb known as a modal verb: I’ve covered some of these already in earlier blogs. I’d now like to turn my attention to a trio of modals which share a similar range of meanings: must, ought, and should. All these verbs can be used to talk about duty and obligation, to give advice or instructions, or to express degrees of probability. Should can also be used in other ways, but as I’m endeavoring to keep this fairly brief, I’ll save my discussion of conditional meanings of should and the difference between should and would for another day. If you’re avid for all the gen right this minute, you can find a full rundown of should here.

Let’s explore the central meanings of must, should, and ought first, then we’ll turn to their similarities and differences, so as to help you use each verb in the most effective and idiomatic way.

Differences and similarities

We can compare and contrast ought, and should according to two categories:

1. - MEANING AND 2. - GRAMMAR.

22/05/2014

1. - Meaning of Must, should, or ought

As we’ve seen, we can use all three verbs to express broadly similar meanings: the main distinctions between them are related to degrees of emphasis. Must is the most emphatic: you use it when you’re confident about a conclusion, or when you want to stress that it’s very important for someone to follow your recommendations. You also use must to refer to something that’s required by a rule or law. Unlike should and ought, must isn’t used to make predictions:

✓   According to the forecast, it should be warm tomorrow.✓   According to the forecast, it ought to be warm tomorrow.X    According to the forecast, it must be warm tomorrow.

Ought is less strong than must, and isn’t used to talk about things that are compulsory. It often carries with it slightly more forcefulness and more of a sense of moral obligation or appropriateness than should.

The meanings of should that we’re addressing in this blog overlap with those of ought, but should is much more common statistically. There are over 2 million instances of should on the Oxford English Corpus, compared with around 71,000 occurrences of ought. In particular, should is much more frequent in questions or negative constructions than ought. Should is the least forceful of the trio: it’s mostly used to make suggestions and more tentative predictions.

Compare the nuances of meaning in the following:

If you have a mole that starts to bleed, you must see a doctor. [it’s vital, as it could be cancer]

The fat content of the cheese must not exceed 44%. [this is to obey a food regulation]

The object of the exercise was to prevent the public from seeing what they ought to see. [it’s morally desirable that people knew]

I ought to eat more fruit and vegetables. [it’s a good idea and will make me healthier]

You should see the size of the crowds he plays in front of! [this is my opinion, but you don’t actually need to see the crowds for yourself]

I think I should go home. [I’m considering this as an option]

Having said this, however, there’s frequently little distinction in meaning between ought and should, and indeed it is possible to have the same interpretation using one or both alternatives. Should is more common in questions, especially in daily conversation: ought sounds rather formal when used interrogatively. Additionally, speakers of North American English tend to use should rather than ought when expressing a negative idea (we shouldn’tturn away from such opportunities rather than we oughtn’t to turn away from such opportunities).

22/05/2014

2. - Grammar of Must, should, or ought

2.1 Tenses

You can form the past tense of should and ought by using have and the past participle of the main verb. We can use this construction to talk about things which were supposed to have been done or have happened (but didn’t) or to speculate.

About things which we’re not sure about in the past:

They should have done more research.I ought to have left here by 3.30.Surely they should have got home by midnight.

You also form the past of must with have plus the past participle of a main verb. You can use must have to express certainty about something in the past, based on logic or normal expectations:

From the evidence of his pupils, he must have been a good teacher.

However, you can’t use must have to talk about something important that should have occurred in the past or something compulsory. If you say:

They must have done more research.

it doesn’t mean ‘they were supposed to have done more research but didn’t’; it means that the speaker is sure that they had carried out more research in order to get to the situation they’re now in.

2.2 Infinitives

Ought is unlike most other modals, because we always use the infinitive towhen we use it with a main verb. You shouldn’t say:

X   I ought eat less meat.X   Ought we visit her soon?X   You ought not miss this play.

You need to use to:

✓   I ought to eat less meat.✓   Ought we to visit her soon?✓   You ought not to miss this play.

The only case where you don’t have to accompany ought with to is if there is no other main verb in the sentence or clause:

✓   Say what you have to say, not what you ought.✓   We should file that under ‘Educational’ too, oughtn’t we?

With should and must, the infinitive to isn’t used:

X   I should to leave now.X   She mustn’t to discuss the case with anyone.

✓   I should leave now.✓   She mustn’t discuss the case with anyone.

The above should have helped to clarify these three verbs; you ought now to know how to use them; I must stop writing immediately!

23/05/2014

Shall"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or

"we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently

used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe

future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more

commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other

forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.

We don't use 'Shall' very frequently in modern English, particularly in American English.

It is used to make offers and suggestions and to ask for advice.

What time shall we meet? Shall we vote on it now? What dress shall I wear? Shall I open the window?

You only really need to know that about 'shall' in modern English. Read the rest of this only if you want to know more about how some older speakers still use 'shall'.

Formerly, in older grammar, 'shall' was used as an alternative to 'will' with 'I' and 'we'. Today, 'will' is normally used. When we do use 'shall', it has an idea of a more personal, subjective future.

I shall go to see the boss and I shall ask him to explain this decision.

Notice that the negative of 'shall' can be 'shall not' or 'shan't' – though the second one is now very rare in American English.

I don't like these people and I shall not go to their party. I shan't object if you go without me.

26/05/2014

Use of Shall

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You can also use:

shall FUTURE ACTION

(British form)

I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office.

I shall be there by 8:00.

I shall not be replaced after all.

I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation.

will

shallSUGGESTIONS

Shall we begin dinner?

Shall we move into the living room?

should

shall VOLUNTEERING

,PROMISING

(British form)

I shall take care of everything for you.

I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry.

I shall never forget you.

I shall never give up the fight for freedom.

will

shall INEVITABILITY

(British form)

Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe.

We shall overcome oppression.

Man shall never give up the exploration of the universe.

He shall not be held back.

27/05/2014

EXAMPLE SENTENCES FOR SHALL

All nominations and applications shall be confidential.

To those languages that hath, in other words, shall be given.

No paper or other materials shall be derived from high conservation

value forests or other illegal sources.

We shall see if air temperatures correspond in the next couple of

years.

We shall be able to learn more about our ancient history and cultures.

But the twain shall never meet, as usually the foreigners will not be

asked their opinions about the interview.

We shall not stop understanding what shall and what shall not do.

Any positions specified on contracts or orders, except covers, shall be

considered requests only and not conditions of purchase.

We shall open our mind to the challenge of the opposite opinions.

The memorialists do not ask that the government shall grant them

lands without receiving an equivalent.

The translator shall be liable for any mistake or inaccuracy in the

translation.

The expression of pain during labour, shall soon be replaced by the

joy of birth.

Bush people aren't white and thusly shall not be afforded a blur.

We shall interrupt a little in order to open up an explanatory

digression.

Measuring point shall be at over-flow finished point on every

measuring time.

27/05/2014

WHEN SHOULD WE USE "SHALL" AND "WILL"?

Traditionally, shall is used for the future tense with the first-person pronouns I and We:  I shall, we shall.  Will is used with the first-person (again, I refer to traditional usage) only when we wish to express determination.  The opposite is true for the second-person (you) and third-person (he, she, it, they) pronouns:  

Will is used in the future tense, and shall is used only when we wish to express determination or to emphasize certainty.

Although this is the traditional distinction between shall and will,  many linguists and grammarians have challenged this rule, and it is often not observed, even in formal writing.  Personally, I still try to remember to follow it, even though the use of shall seems to be declining.

Here are some examples, applying the traditional rule.

First-person pronouns:

I shall attend the meeting.  (Simple future tense) I will attend the meeting.  (Simple future tense but with an

added sense of certainty or determination) Regardless of the weather, we shall go to the city.  (Simple

future tense) Regardless of the weather, we will go to the city.  (Simple future

tense but with an added sense of certainty or determination)

Second-person pronoun:

You will receive a refund.  (Simple future tense) You shall receive a refund.  (Simple future tense but with an

added sense of certainty or determination)

Third-person pronoun:

It will be done on time.  (Simple future tense) It shall be done on time.  (Simple future tense but with an added

sense of certainty or determination)

I believe that will is usually the better choice with second- and third-person pronouns.  If we wish to express certainty or determination, we do not need to use shall but can provide emphasis by using an adverb, such as certainly or definitely.  However, I believe that the distinction between shall and will that I mention above is useful with first-person pronouns.

28/05/2014

Shall and Will

The main use of the auxiliary verbs will and shall is to form the future tense. For example:

I will arrive on Tuesday.  I shall arrive on Tuesday. 

However, these days, the use of shall to form the future tense is becoming rarer (especially in the US), and it is safe to use will every time. In fact, to say it's "safe to use will every time" is understating the case. Unless you're asking a question (more on that below), it is largely expected (particularly in the US).

That said, it might be useful to know the traditional rules for using will and shall because you never know when you might have to showcase your grammar skills or write to an audience of grammar pedants. 

Forming the Future Tense with Will in Shall(Traditional Rules)

The traditional rules for forming the future tense with will and shall are:

Person PronounNoun

Future Tense Example

1st PersonSingular

I shall I shall be there soon.

2nd PersonSingular

You will You will be there soon.

3rd PersonSingular

He, She,It

will He will be there soon.

1st Person We shall We shall be there soon.

Plural

2nd PersonPlural

You will You will be there soon.

3rd PersonPlural

They will They will be there soon.

29/05/2014

EXAMPLES OF SHALL AND WILL:

I will guarantee your safe passage. (If this were just the future tense (i.e., without any sense of duty attached), then, in the land of pedants, it should read "I shall guarantee…." As it doesn't, the use of will could convey a sense of duty to some of your readers. However, the overwhelming majority of your readers are likely to think that you've just opted for will over shall as a way of forming the future tense. In other words, they won't give it a second thought.)

You shall ask a question on recruitment at the end of the presentation. (If this were just the future tense (i.e., without any sense of duty attached), then it should read "You will ask…." Again, for some of your readers, the use of shall could convey a sense of duty, but it won't for most.)

Nowadays, this is just a point of academic interest. Very few of your readers are likely to spot that you've switched from will to shall (or vice versa) to convey a sense of importance or duty.

Shall Is Still Used in QuestionsFrom what you've read so far, you might be getting the idea that shall is on its last legs as a word. You might be thinking it's hot on the heels of whom to reach the word graveyard where words like hither and whence have lain to rest. However, that's not accurate. Shall is alive and well when it comes to questions posed in the first person (i.e., with I and we). For example: 

Shall I talk in a Scottish accent during the meeting?  What shall we talk about?  Was that the dog? Shall I open the window? 

Will and Shall in ContractionsWhen talking or writing informally, you might not have to worry about whether to use shall or will because the contractions are likely to be the same. Here they are:

Full Versions Contraction

I shallI will

I'll

You shallYou will

You'll

He/She/It shallHe/She/It will

He'll / She'll / It'll

We shallWe will

We'll

You shallYou will

You'll

They shallThey will

They'll

30/05/2014

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WILL” AND “SHALL”

When do you use “will” and “shall?” I know that [they] mean the same thing, but I would like to know when to use them in the correct grammatical sense.

In modern English will and shall are helping verbs. They are used with other verbs, but lack conjugations of their own.Both are signs of the future tense.The old Walsh English Handbook that I used in high school gives this rule for forming the future:Use shall in the first person and will in the second and third persons for the simple future tense:I shall sing this afternoon.You will succeed.He will stay at home.

My observations suggest that shall is rarely used by American speakers.The two words existed as separate verbs in Old English, the form of English spoken from 450-1150 C.E.The verb willan meant “wish, be willing, be about to.”The verb sculan (pronounced [shu-lan], had the meanings “be obliged to, have to, must, be destined to, be supposed to.”In modern usage traces of the old meanings persist for speakers who use both forms.Will can imply volition or intention, while shall can imply necessity:I will scale Mount Everest. (“and no one can stop me!”)You shall take the garbage out before you do anything else. (“You have no choice, Junior!”)A second element enters into the use of shall and will.As a matter of courtesy, a difference exists according to whether the verb is used with a first or second person subject. Which to use depends upon the relationship between speakers.Parents, teachers, employers, and staff sergeants are within their rights to tell someone “You shall complete this assignment by 9 p.m.” Such a construction offers no alternative. It is the same as saying “You must complete this assignment.”In speaking to an equal, however, the choice is left up to the other person:I shall drive to Tulsa today. You will follow on Tuesday. (It’s still up to you.)

Here’s a frequently quoted joke that illustrates the consequences of using shalland will incorrectly:A foreign tourist was swimming in an English lake. Taken by cramps, he began to sink. He called out for help:“Attention! Attention! I will drown and no one shall save me!”Many people were within earshot, but, being well-brought up Englishmen and women, they honored his wishes and permitted him to drown.