Shall
/ʃæl/noun
A modal verb used to express future, obligation, determination, or formal command.
Did you know?Shall descends from an Old English verb meaning “to owe” or “be obliged,” so its history is tied to duty and necessity rather than simple futurity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skel-
“to owe, be in debt; to be under obligation”
Old English
OE
sceal
“I/you/he shall; must; am/are/is obliged to”
Middle English
ME
shal
“shall; must; be obliged to”
Early Modern English
English
shall
“a modal verb expressing obligation, necessity, or future action”
Modern English
English
shall
“a modal verb used for future, obligation, determination, or formal command”