shall

verb

Etymology: From Middle English schal (infinitive schulen), from Old English sċeal (infinitive sċulan (“should, must”)), from Proto-West Germanic *skulan, from Proto-Germanic *skal (infinitive *skulaną), from Proto-Indo-European *skel- (“to owe, be under obligation”). Cognate with Scots sall, sal (“shall”), North Frisian skal, schal, Saterland Frisian skäl, schäl, schal (infinitive skälle, schälle), West Frisian sil (infinitive sille (“shall”)), Dutch zal (infinitive zullen (“shall”)), Low German schall (infinitive schölen (“shall”)), German soll (infinitive sollen (“ought to”)), Danish skal (infinitive skulle (“shall”)), Icelandic skal (infinitive skulu (“shall”)), Afrikaans sal, Swedish skall (“shall”) (infinitive skola).

1. Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.

   “I shall sing in the choir tomorrow.”

   “I hope that we shall win the game.”

2. Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.

   “(determination): You shall go to the ball!; He shall be given a fair trial.”

   “(obligation): Citizens shall provide proof of identity.”

3. Used in questions with the first person singular or plural to suggest a possible future action.

   “What shall I do? Shall I give you a hand?”

   “Shall we go out later?”

4. To owe.

   “I thee shall a hundred golden coins; th'amount thou shalt the Queen is much higher.”

   “He should þe Princess his Life, for she had deliver'd him from þe Poison deadly.”