It is incorrect to say "If I take this medicine, I will recover." But if one will use the proper "shall," won't that person be looked upon as being strange by Americans?
Does A. English retain the distinction between shall & w
No, it's used in America. It's often used as part of a question.
Shall I cook dinner or do you want to eat out?
What makes you think Americans don't use shall?
Shall I cook dinner or do you want to eat out?
What makes you think Americans don't use shall?
We generally use will in that example of yours, so yeah, there's no distinction for us between "shall" and "will" if you use it like that.
Like guest said, we use it as part of a question but generally people use "should" instead of "shall". It's not completely unknown, some people do use it.
Sometimes people use it wrong and say stuff like "let's shall" to answer a question beginning with "Shall X ..." as in "Shall we go out? Yeah, let's shall" I've heard many young SoCalifornians (15-20) use it like this.
Like guest said, we use it as part of a question but generally people use "should" instead of "shall". It's not completely unknown, some people do use it.
Sometimes people use it wrong and say stuff like "let's shall" to answer a question beginning with "Shall X ..." as in "Shall we go out? Yeah, let's shall" I've heard many young SoCalifornians (15-20) use it like this.
I can honestly say that I never use the word "shall" and most other young people don't either. It's not very common here, but some people do say it. I would use "will" in your example, X.
In guest's example, I would say:
"Should I cook dinner or do you want to eat out?"
In guest's example, I would say:
"Should I cook dinner or do you want to eat out?"
The word "shall" is sometimes required in formal specs to indicate normative behavior. In this case "will" is not good enough.
Example: "Each of the computational operations specified by this standard shall be performed as if it first produced an intermediate result correct to infinite precision and unbounded range, and then coerced this intermediate result to fit into the destination's format (see sections 4 and 7)."
Often, in less rigorous specs "will" or other words are acceptable.
Example: "Each of the computational operations specified by this standard shall be performed as if it first produced an intermediate result correct to infinite precision and unbounded range, and then coerced this intermediate result to fit into the destination's format (see sections 4 and 7)."
Often, in less rigorous specs "will" or other words are acceptable.
Spot on there, guest! 'Shall' is more commanding than 'will'.
My problem with 'shall' is that my German friend uses it when she speaks English, albeit correctly, although it makes it sound too harsh!
Mind, with the German accent, 'You are looking well today' sounds harsh
My problem with 'shall' is that my German friend uses it when she speaks English, albeit correctly, although it makes it sound too harsh!
Mind, with the German accent, 'You are looking well today' sounds harsh
In formal English 'shall' ought to be used in the first person to refer to the future: I shall eat dinner tonight. We shall eat dinner tonight. Will is used with other persons: They will buy a car.
HOWEVER when expressing determination or a strong feeling of intent, 'will' may be used in the first person and shall with other persons: We WILL fight for our rights. He SHALL be arrested if he steals these goods.
HOWEVER when expressing determination or a strong feeling of intent, 'will' may be used in the first person and shall with other persons: We WILL fight for our rights. He SHALL be arrested if he steals these goods.
<<Sometimes people use it wrong and say stuff like "let's shall" to answer a question beginning with "Shall X ..." as in "Shall we go out? Yeah, let's shall" I've heard many young SoCalifornians (15-20) use it like this.>>
That use is slang--posh and stylized, not at all what I would call American usage.
"Shall" exists in American English. It's usage is universally known, although not universally practiced. There's no need to ask questions about it. Lay this to rest.
That use is slang--posh and stylized, not at all what I would call American usage.
"Shall" exists in American English. It's usage is universally known, although not universally practiced. There's no need to ask questions about it. Lay this to rest.
<<Shall is old-fashioned and formal in American English. >>
Perhaps, but perhaps not. It all depends on who you ask.
The original question asked if a person would be looked upon as strange by Americans for using "shall". The answer is definitely not. They will be understood 100%.
Some people get the impression, I believe, that we Americans have no concept of what "shall" is, or what it means for that matter. As if it wholly a foreign term to us. Please, go ahead and use "shall". We'll like it just the same. I promise : )
Perhaps, but perhaps not. It all depends on who you ask.
The original question asked if a person would be looked upon as strange by Americans for using "shall". The answer is definitely not. They will be understood 100%.
Some people get the impression, I believe, that we Americans have no concept of what "shall" is, or what it means for that matter. As if it wholly a foreign term to us. Please, go ahead and use "shall". We'll like it just the same. I promise : )