Is the word shall dying out of the English language? I was taught to say I shall, you will, he/she will, but I never use shall these days.
Historically, the words shall and will would change place when writing about promises, commands and obligations, particularly in legal documents. For example, the British coronation oath goes:
Archbishop: Will you to your power cause law and justice, with mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?
Sovereign: I will
These days, many legal writers avoid shall because:
- not many people understand the traditional distinctions between will and shall
- shall is sometimes interpreted as may
- shall may be interpreted as the future tense rather than an obligation.
Must is used in most good legal writing for obligations and duties.
Guidelines
- Use must for obligations or duties.
The client must meet the deadlines.
- Use may to convey discretion or permission.
The client may ask for an extension.
- Use will for the future tense.
The client will submit a report at the end of the project.
- Use the present tense when appropriate.
If the client defaults. (Not If the client shall default.)
Online grammar programs
If you want to learn more about grammar, register for one of Mary’s online grammar courses at www.onlinewritingtraining.com.au
