SHALL Meaning and
Definition
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"Shall" is a modal verb with multiple functions and meanings used in modern English. It is primarily employed to express a future obligation or to indicate a command or instruction. Additionally, "shall" can be used to suggest a strong assertion, determination, or intention.
The primary usage of "shall" is to denote a future obligation or requirement. It can be used to outline duties, responsibilities, or rules that are expected to be fulfilled by someone in a particular situation. For example, it can be used in legal contexts to stipulate what is mandatory or what actions must be taken.
Furthermore, "shall" can indicate a command or instruction, often presented in official or formal language. In this sense, it serves as a means to convey a directive or to outline the necessary steps to be followed.
Another use of "shall" is to express a strong assertion, determination, or intention. It is employed to demonstrate an unwavering resolution or a firm decision. This usage is relatively formal and can be found in legal documents, contracts, or authoritative statements.
In summary, "shall" is a versatile modal verb used for expressing future obligations, commands, and instructions, as well as asserting strong determination or intention. Its multifaceted nature lends itself to various contexts, but its overall purpose is to convey clarity and certainty in communication.
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An auxiliary and defective verb; one of the two signs employed to express futurity, will being the other; in the first person shall simply foretells or declares; in the second person and third person it promises or expresses determination; interrogatively, shall either asks for permission or for direction; shall, like will, apart from its othersenses, uniformly denotes futurity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SHALL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SHALL
Etymology of SHALL
The word "shall" can be traced back to the Old English word "sceal". In Old English, "sceal" was used as a modal verb to indicate duty or obligation. Over time, "sceal" evolved into "shall" during the Middle English period. The word has persisted through various dialectal changes and is still in use today with a similar meaning, primarily to indicate future or mandatory action.
Idioms with the word SHALL
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as ye sow, so shall ye reap
The idiom "as ye sow, so shall ye reap" means that the consequences of one's actions, whether good or bad, will eventually come back to them in the same manner. It suggests that one's actions have a direct impact on their future outcomes or experiences.
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who shall remain nameless
The idiom "who shall remain nameless" refers to a person or thing that is purposely not mentioned or identified by name. It is used when someone wants to maintain anonymity or discretion in a conversation or when referring to a particular individual or subject.
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Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
The idiom "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed" means that those who do not have high hopes or expectations about outcomes or situations are less likely to feel let down or disappointed. By keeping their expectations low, they are more likely to find contentment and avoid disappointment.
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talk of the devil, and he shall appear
The idiom "talk of the devil, and he shall appear" means that when you mention someone, they will often unexpectedly or coincidentally show up. It implies that discussing someone or something can draw their attention or presence.
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speak of the devil, and he shall appear
The idiom "speak of the devil, and he shall appear" is used to express the coincidence of someone being mentioned or talked about and then that person showing up or arriving unexpectedly. It implies that mentioning or discussing someone can potentially bring their presence or attention to the situation.
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ne'er the twain shall meet
The idiom "ne'er the twain shall meet" means that two things or groups are so fundamentally different or incompatible that there is no possibility of them ever coming together or reconciling. It implies a permanent or unbridgeable divide between the two. The phrase originated from a line in Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Ballad of East and West" and is often used to describe irreconcilable differences or opposing ideas that cannot be resolved.
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Seek and ye shall find.
The idiom "Seek and ye shall find" means that if a person actively pursues or searches for something, they will eventually discover or obtain it. It emphasizes the idea that one's efforts and determination will lead to success or the desired outcome.
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never the twain shall meet
The idiom "never the twain shall meet" means that two things or groups are so fundamentally different or opposed to each other that they will never come together or find common ground. It expresses the idea that there is no possibility of a union or connection between the two.
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Shall I be mother?
The idiom "Shall I be mother?" typically refers to a polite question or offer to serve tea or pour drinks, especially in a social gathering or when hosting guests. It is commonly used in British English as a way to ask if one should take on the role of pouring and serving beverages, often specifically referring to tea.
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East is East and West is West (and never the twain shall meet).
The idiom "East is East and West is West (and never the twain shall meet)" is a phrase used to express the idea that two things or two cultural groups are so different from each other that they can never come together or understand each other. It emphasizes the irreconcilable differences and distinctness between two entities that are fundamentally incompatible or separated by vast cultural or ideological gaps.
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this too shall pass (away)
The idiom "this too shall pass (away)" means that whatever difficult or challenging situation one is currently experiencing will eventually come to an end or pass, implying that everything in life is temporary and transient. It serves as a reminder to stay positive, as both good and bad times are fleeting.
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As you sow, so shall you reap,
Similar spelling words for SHALL
- shawl,
- shell,
- shallow,
- Shela,
- Sheila,
- Shellie,
- shoal,
- Shiel,
- Shella,
- Sheil,
- shiloh,
- Shelia,
- shiley,
- Shelli,
- Shala,
- shyly,
- shill,
- Shiela,
- Shyla,
- shelley,
- sheeley,
- shawwal,
- Sheilah,
- sheley,
- shallu,
- Shaul,
- Shealy,
- shoaly,
- Shayla,
- Shelly,
- shull,
- Shila,
- shale,
- Sheely,
- shealey.
Conjugate verb Shall
PAST PARTICIPLE
should
PRESENT
I
shall
you
shall
he/she/it
shall
we
shall
they
shall
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
you
he/she/it
we
they
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
SIMPLE PAST
I
should
you
should
he/she/it
should
we
should
they
should
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