Results 1 to 10 of 65
Thread: Shall or Will?
Hybrid View
-
24-Nov-2003, 00:33 #1
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
- Join Date
- Nov 2002
- Posts
- 72,668
Shall or Will?
-
24-Nov-2003, 01:00 #2
Moderator
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Posts
- 16,546
I don't think we use shall like that in AE. But it is less strange than will would be there.
:wink:
-
24-Nov-2003, 01:08 #3
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
- Join Date
- Nov 2002
- Posts
- 72,668
'Shall' is widely used in this. Would you say 'should'?
-
24-Nov-2003, 01:50 #4
Moderator
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Posts
- 16,546
Perhaps.
Originally Posted by tdol
'Shall' is widely used in this. Would you say 'should'?
-
24-Nov-2003, 23:08 #5
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
- Join Date
- Nov 2002
- Posts
- 72,668
What would be natural AE?
-
24-Nov-2003, 23:40 #6
Moderator
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Posts
- 16,546
Examples: Originally Posted by tdol
What would be natural AE?- Would you like some help with that?
Let me help you with that.
Do you need some help?
That's my opinion, anyhow.
:)
-
08-Aug-2005, 05:02 #7
Junior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Posts
- 95
Re: Shall or Will?
Hello Forum! Originally Posted by RonBee
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
-
08-Aug-2005, 06:24 #8
Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Posts
- 113
Re: Shall or Will?
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...
-
08-Aug-2005, 11:51 #9
Junior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Posts
- 95
Re: Shall or Will?
Hello again Originally Posted by Robert B. Mercer
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)
-
24-Nov-2003, 23:58 #10
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
- Join Date
- Nov 2002
- Posts
- 72,668
They're all good in BE, too.
Reply With Quote
Re: Shall or Will?
Re: Shall or Will?
