Usage of will and shall

In general, use will to talk about the future and shall to make formal obligations, commands, or solemn promises. For simple future statements, use "I/we will" or "he/she/it/you/they will," as "shall" with these subjects is very formal or outdated. In questions, use "Shall we...?" for suggestions or offers. In American English, "will" is used for all subjects to express the future, while "shall" is rare.

Simple future:

Modern usage (especially American English)

Will: is used for most future actions, predictions, and intentions.

Example:

We will go to the park tomorrow - நாம நாளை பூங்காவுக்கு போவோம்.

It will be sunny next week - அடுத்த வாரம் வெயில் அடிக்கும்.

Shall: is largely avoided in modern, informal English.

Traditional and formal usage

The traditional rule uses "shall" with the first person ("I," "we") and "will" with the second and third person ("you," "he," "she," "it," "they").

Example:

I shall begin my work now - நான் இப்போது என் வேலையைத் தொடங்குவேன் .

He will start the project - அவர் திட்டத்தைத் தொடங்குவார்.

Determination, command, or promise:

This rule is reversed, with "will" for the first person and "shall" for the second and third.

Example:

We will finish this project on time! (determination) - இந்த திட்டத்தை சரியான நேரத்தில் முடிப்போம்! (உறுதிப்பாடு)

You shall not pass! (command) - நீங்கள் கடந்து செல்லக் கூடாது! (கட்டளை).

Formal obligations:

"Shall" is used to express strict requirements or duties.

Example:

All applicants shall submit their documents by Friday - அனைத்து விண்ணப்பதாரர்களும் வெள்ளிக்கிழமைக்குள் தங்கள் ஆவணங்களைச் சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டும்.

Specific uses of Shall

Suggestions and offers (questions with I/we): Use "Shall we...?" to suggest something or offer help.

Example:

Shall we eat lunch? - நாம் மதிய உணவு சாப்பிடலாமா?

Shall I help you with that? - அதற்கு நான் உங்களுக்கு உதவட்டுமா?

Formal statements and rules:

Use "shall" in very formal language to express a duty or a formal obligation.

Example:

The tenant shall pay rent on the first day of the month - குத்தகைதாரர் மாதத்தின் முதல் நாளில் வாடகை செலுத்த வேண்டும்.

Formal promises:

"Shall" can express a formal or very serious promise.

Example:

We shall overcome this difficult challenge - இந்த கடினமான சவாலை நாம் சமாளிப்போம்.

Summary and Practice

You have now learned the key differences in usage between will and shall and the situations in which will and shall be used. You now know when to use will and shall.

Do it yourself

Try to make sentences in English using 'will' and 'shall' for the following Tamil sentences.

  1. நான் உனக்கு உதவட்டுமா?
  2. நாம் சாப்பிடுவோமா?
  3. அவள் வருவாள்.
  4. நான் ஆவணங்களை சமா்ப்பிக்கவேண்டும்.
  5. அவன் செய்வான்.
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