shall

Meaning

1. Used before a verb to indicate the simple future tense in the first person singular or plural.
2. Used similarly to indicate determination or obligation in the second and third persons singular or plural.
3. Used in questions with the first person singular or plural to suggest a possible future action.
4. (obsolete) To owe.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃæl/

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”), 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).

Sentences

Shall we watch a film at the cinema this afternoon ?