shall Meaning & Definition
What Does Shall Mean?
As a verb, shall means Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural. It can also mean Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.
Shall: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ʃæl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | will |
| Verb forms | should |
Shall Definition (Verb)
- Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.
I shall sing in the choir tomorrow.
- Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.
(determination): You shall go to the ball!
- 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?
- To owe.
I thee shall a hundred golden coins; th'amount thou shalt the Queen is much higher.
Verb
- (modal, auxiliary verb, defective) Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.
I hope that we shall win the game.
Synonyms of Shall
Shall synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Shall
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Shall in a Sentence
I shall sing in the choir tomorrow.
I hope that we shall win the game.
(determination): You shall go to the ball!
(determination): He shall be given a fair trial.
(obligation): Citizens shall provide proof of identity.
(obligation): The renter shall be responsible for maintenance of the vehicle.
Things haven't turned out as I intended they should, but I still intend that you shall take over the business.
What shall I do? Shall I give you a hand?
Shall we go out later?
I'll hold that for you, shall I?
Let us examine that, shall we? - Yeah, let's.
Shall we see you before you set out?
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.
Let us examine that, shall we?
Word Forms & Grammar
shall (third-person singular simple present shall, no present participle, simple past should, no past participle)
Words That Rhyme With Shall
Origin of Shall
Origin 1: 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”).
Origin 2: 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”)), Afrikaans sal, Low German schall (infinitive schölen (“shall”)), German soll (infinitive sollen (“ought to”)), Danish skal (infinitive skulle (“shall”)), Icelandic skal (infinitive skulu (“shall”)), Swedish skall (“shall”) (infinitive skola).
How to Pronounce Shall
Shall is pronounced //ʃæl// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Shall
What part of speech is shall?
Shall is a verb.
What is another word for shall?
Words with a similar meaning to shall include will. See the full list of shall synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of shall?
The past tense of shall is should.