rhizoverbBeta
Dictionaryshallfuture action or intention
verb

shall

SHUHL/ʃəl/

Marks a future action as expected or determined.

The worker shall carry out the task indicated by the team leader.

A team leader points to a waiting task while a worker accepts the tool and moves toward doing it, making future obligation visible through the assigned action.
Etymology
shallOld Englishto owe, be obliged

Old English sculan expressed owing or being obliged to do something. That sense of obligation broadened to include future action, giving shall its uses for both what must happen and what will happen.

In context

Children of Palau2:50
The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away."
Children of Palau: Leave only footprints that will wash away | TED Countdown
June Sarpong4:54
A game-changing moment came for me early on in my career, when I was interviewing a high-profile actress, who shall remain nameless.
We Need Leaders Who Boldly Champion Inclusion | June Sarpong | TED

More examples

  • I shall return before dinner.
  • We shall not give up.
  • The tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month.

Forms

shall · should

Similar words

will
Expresses future action more commonly in everyday American speech.
must
Expresses necessity or obligation rather than a future expectation.