Shall or Will?

[dangvietyen]

In my understanding, "shall" is more common and it is the best choose!

[SweetMommaSue]

Originally Posted by RonBee

Examples:

• Would you like some help with that?
  Let me help you with that.
  Do you need some help?

That's my opinion, anyhow.

:)

Hello Forum!
IMHO: "May I help you with that?"

This is what I would say, and what one would hear in most retail stores, theme parks and just about everywhere here in the States.

Just another suggestion.
Smiles,
Sweet Momma Sue

[Robert B. Mercer]

SweetMommaSue and RonBee are right, in my opinion.

"Shall I help you with that?"... maybe in very fancy, expensive stores.. but if a friend of mine said that in Oklahoma I would assume he was pulling my leg... and was about to offer me some grey poupon mustard...

Would you like me to get that for you?
Could I help you with that?
Let me help you with that...
Dude, that sucker weighs a ton, let me get that for you...

[SweetMommaSue]

Originally Posted by Robert B. Mercer

SweetMommaSue and RonBee are right, in my opinion.

"Shall I help you with that?"... maybe in very fancy, expensive stores.. but if a friend of mine said that in Oklahoma I would assume he was pulling my leg... and was about to offer me some grey poupon mustard...

Would you like me to get that for you?
Could I help you with that?
Let me help you with that...
Dude, that sucker weighs a ton, let me get that for you...

Hello again

Yes, I do agree with Robert G. Mercer and RonBee. I think this is a very good example of one of the differences between BE and AE. While "Shall I . . ." may be common in the UK, here in the US it would only be heard in the more upscale boutiques and salons in, perhaps NYC, DC, Philly and other large cities.

The last sentence of Robert's beginning with "Dude. . ." is exactly how my sisters who are in their mid 20's talk. I find it base, to be called 'dude', myself, but they laugh it off. So, while our counterparts over the sea manage to uphold to the more formal structures, and quite naturally at that, we here in the USA seem bent on becoming more and more casual. I wonder, too, if that isn't one of the reasons so many of our younger generation simply do not understand proper English. It's almost like a foreign language to them, as our spoken/colloquial English has become so different over the years. . . and is still evolving!

I personally think it a shame. It's the same as is what's happening with etiquette, but that's another thread entirely.

Have a great day, all!
Sweet Momma Sue
(sipping coffee in the quiet before the kids get up)

[jbloggs]

We use 'shall' because you are making a suggestion or an offer of help

[jbloggs]

Although I must say that nowadays we use 'can'

[ANDY4368]

Hello Everyone ,
This Is A Really Confusing Issue In The Conetxt Of Modern Day English! As Far As I Know, In The U.s., 'shall' Is Losing Its Relevance Day By Day. But For People Who Embrace English In Its True Essence, Opine That 'shall' Expresses An Extra Degree Of Determination And Conveys The Intention Towards Something Espescially Of The First Person [singular Or Plural] In Case Of A Communication. THIS IS BASED ON MY LIMITED GRIP OVER THE LANGUAGE.ANY ENHANCEMENT OR CORRECTION IS WELCOME.
Regards

[Masoodelahi]

Shall is formal and will is force. so it will come in this place Shall.

[SunnyDay]

If you stuck "will" in there, it would sound like you were talking to yourself.

[Nary]

Shall