Is "shall" still being used?

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Ruslana

#173307 Thu, 22 Dec 05 06:38 PM

Are UK speakers still using the auxiliary verb "shall"?

"Shall I bring you a cup of tea?"

I was learned to say this phrase in the approximately meaning of "Should I bring..."
But if the verb "shall" is not being used anymore, may be I can say: "Will I bring you a cup of tea?" Although it seems strange a little in that meaning, doesn't it?

In short I wonder if I can say "shall", "should" or "will" in the sentence above and what the difference is.

Ruslana

Joined on Sat, Dec 17 2005

Russia

Senior Member (3,197)

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace", - Jimi Hendrix

Verbs, Auxiliaries

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TammyBaby

#173323 Thu, 22 Dec 05 07:26 PM

Uhm, as I know, "Shall I..." is used when you ask to help someone. I've never met anyone use "Will I..." in this situation. The same with "should". Anyway, that's what I know. Hope anyone here can explain it more clearly! Wink [;)]

Tammy

TammyBaby

Joined on Wed, Jul 27 2005

Winterland - land of cold, memories and dreams...

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Ruslana

#173459 Fri, 23 Dec 05 09:09 AM

Thanks Tammy. I thought exactly the same you said. I wanted to make certain of it. :-)

But I still wonder if "shall" is being used now in Future Indefinite Tense with pronouns "I" and "we".

For example:
1. We shall do it.
2. I shall tell you.

Everybody says now: "We will do it" and "I will tell you", doesn't it? (don't they?) (I am not sure of the ending)

Ruslana

Nouns, Pronouns, Tenses

TammyBaby

#173608 Fri, 23 Dec 05 05:22 PM

Uhm, you can use "will" instead of "shall" with I, we in Simple future tense. Modern English accepts it. But in formal situations or when talking with old people, using "I/We shall..." seem more ok! Wink [;)]

Have a warm Christmas night with your family and your friends!

Regards,
Tammy

TammyBaby

Tenses, Regards

Ruslana

#173633 Fri, 23 Dec 05 05:56 PM

I understand. Thank you for the explanation!

Thanks!
I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, too! :-)

P.S. But actually we celebrate the Nativity on 7th January in Russia. And before it we celebrate New Year, our main feast. :-)

Ruslana

TammyBaby

#174298 Sun, 25 Dec 05 11:28 AM

Wow... I've never heard about Nativity before. Is it like Christmas festival? I love New Year party because I was born on January 1st! Smile [:)]

Christmas is not our traditional festival, but now, it became a good occation for us to send our family members, relatives and friends greetings cards or gifts. What do you do in Nativity, Ruslana? It's wonderful to know more about this day! Wink [;)]

Tammy

TammyBaby

Ruslana

#174573 Mon, 26 Dec 05 01:43 PM

A nice birth date! :-D
Yes, Nativity is like Christmas festival. But we don't celebrate it in such a big way like your Christmas or our New Year festivals. That is because of USSR ideology, what persecuted all the existed religions... A lot of Russian people got out of the habit of celebrating religious festivals. But we are coming back to it little by little... Thank God. :-)

Sorry. I stop writing because it is a real offtopic.