Difference between Shall and Will: Meaning, Rules, Uses and Examples

Many English learners wonder about the difference between shall and will because both words are used to talk about the future. While they were once used according to strict grammar rules, modern English uses will much more frequently than shall. Today, 'shall' is mainly used in formal situations, suggestions, offers, and legal documents, whereas 'will' is the standard choice for expressing future actions, intentions, and predictions. Understanding what the difference is between 'shall' and 'will' can help you communicate more accurately in both spoken and written English.

Table of Contents 

• What is the Difference Between Shall and Will?
• Meanings of Shall and Will
• When Do We Use Will and Shall?
• Difference Between I Shall and I Will
• Difference Between We Shall and We Will
• Difference Between Shall Be and Will Be
• Difference Between Shall and Will in Contracts and Legal Writing
• Examples of Shall and Will
• Common Mistakes When Using Shall and Will
• Tips to Use Shall and Will Correctly

What is the Difference Between Shall and Will?

The main difference between ‘shall’ and ‘will’ is the following: 

• ‘Will’ is commonly used to express future actions, decisions, promises, and predictions.

• ‘Shall’ is generally used to make suggestions, offers, or formal statements. It is more common in British English and legal writing.

Table Summarising the Difference Between Shall and Will

Meanings of Shall and Will

Meaning of Shall: 

‘Shall’ is a modal verb. In everyday modern English, it is mostly used to:

• Make a polite suggestion or offer (‘Shall we begin?’)

• Talk about a future action, especially in formal or traditional English (‘I shall return’)

• Express a strong promise, determination, or formal obligation, particularly in legal and official documents

Meaning of Will: 

‘Will’ is also a modal verb, but it does double duty as a noun too. As a modal verb, ‘will’ is used to

• Talk about the future, especially when it is planned, predicted, or certain

• Show willingness or ability (‘This bag will hold ten books’)

• Make a request (‘Will you pass the salt?’)

• Give an order or instruction (‘Will you stop that noise?’)

As a noun, ‘will’ refers to a person's determination. In legal documents ‘will’ means how a person's property should be distributed after death.

This dual meaning of ‘will’ is one reason the difference between ‘shall’ and ‘will’ can feel confusing; the same word changes meaning depending on whether it is acting as a verb or a noun.

When Do We Use Will and Shall?

In modern, everyday English, ‘will’ has largely taken over as the default word for talking about the future, no matter who the subject is. ‘Shall’ has become more limited in its everyday use. Here is when each one is typically used:

Use Shall When:

• Making a suggestion or proposal. For example, ‘Shall we order pizza tonight?’

• Speaking very formally about your own future plans. For example, ‘I shall attend the ceremony.’

• Writing legal, official, or ceremonial documents that need to express obligation

• Asking for instructions or agreement, often in question form. For example, ‘Shall I close the window?’

Use Will When:

• Talking about general future events or predictions. For example, ‘It will probably rain tomorrow.’

• Expressing willingness, promises, or spontaneous decisions. For example, ‘I will help you move next weekend.’

• Making requests or giving polite orders. For example, ‘Will you send me the file?’

• Describing ability or capacity. For example, ‘This jug will hold two litres.’

A simple way to remember the difference between ‘shall’ and ‘will’: 

• ‘Will’ is the safer, more natural default for the future tense

• ‘Shall’ is reserved for suggestions, formality, or specific traditional grammar rules.
  
  

Difference Between I Shall and I Will

The difference between ‘I shall’ and ‘I will' comes from a traditional rule taught in older English grammar books:

• First person (I, we): Traditionally, ‘shall’ was considered the ‘correct’ choice. For example, ‘I shall finish my homework. We shall meet again..’

• Second and third person (you, he, she, it, they): Traditionally, ‘will’ was considered correct. For example, ‘You will succeed. They will arrive soon.’

In modern English:

• ‘I will’ is the standard form for future actions. For example, ‘I shall return.’

• ‘I shall’ sounds more formal and is often used to express determination or in formal situations. For example, ‘I will return tomorrow.’
  
  

Difference Between We Shall and We Will

The difference between ‘we shall’ and ‘we will’ is similar.

‘We shall’ is often used for suggestions and formal commitments. 

Examples: 

• We shall overcome.

• Shall we begin?

‘We will’ is often used for future actions and plans and intentions. 

Examples:

• We will attend the seminar tomorrow.

• We will complete the assignment this week.
  
  

Difference Between Shall Be and Will Be

The phrases ‘shall be’ and ‘will be’ follow the same underlying logic as ‘shall’ and ‘will’, just in their future continuous or passive forms.

• ‘Shall be’ often appears in formal, legal, or official writing to indicate something that is required or destined to happen. For example, ‘The meeting shall be held on the first Monday of every month.’

• ‘Will be’ is the everyday, neutral way of describing something that is expected to happen in the future. For example, ‘The meeting will be held next Monday.’
  
  

Difference Between Shall and Will in Contracts and Legal Writing

The difference between ‘shall’ and ‘will’ in contracts is important because these words carry different legal meanings.

Shall in Legal Documents

In legal English, ‘shall’ generally indicates a mandatory duty or obligation.

Examples:

• The contractor shall complete the work within six months.

• The tenant shall pay rent on time.

Will in Legal Documents

‘Will’ generally expresses future events or intentions rather than obligations.

Examples:

• The company will review the application.

• The report will be published next year.

Learn more: "List of 100+ Legal Terms and Definitions in English for Students"

Examples of Shall and Will

Here are some simple examples to help you understand the difference between 'shall' and 'will' in real sentences:

Examples of Shall: 

• Shall we go for a walk after dinner?

• I shall always remember this day. 

• Visitors shall not be permitted after 9 p.m.

• Shall we go to the library?

• Shall I help you with your homework?

Examples of Will:

• Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?

• I will call you as soon as I land.

• This recipe will serve about six people.

• He left his entire estate in his will.

• She has a strong will to succeed.