Craig,
I agree with you, and, while there is a history of language
instruction that has structured our usage, I see a natural arch in
our common usage of verbs that moves from intention with the
infinitive form through the consideration of action depending on
different conditions to the realization of the act as it becomes part
of being, history, and a perfected quality. In considering the
probability of our intentions coming to fruition, can helps us
consider our ability to carry them out, will focuses on the force of
our intention, and shall addresses a sense of obligation created by
circumstances around us. Could, would, and should focus more on the
situations that might have an effect upon what happens. These usages
serve our need to allow our imaginations to grapple with our
intentions over time in order to help us realize who we want to be in
this world.
Given the limited number of words we can bring to this task, there
will be multiple purposes served by these terms, giving language the
strength and flexibility that comes from being ambiguous and
connected to different frameworks. But, for teaching grammar as a
tool that empowers us to take action, I like seeing shall as turning
our attention to outside forces that may affect our choices.
Gregg
On Jun 5, 2011, at 1:49 PM, Craig Hancock wrote:
> John,
> In this case, I think "shall" denotes obligation rather than
> determination, maybe as an attempt to soften the order. It's
> interesting that it's also passive. What I see in many restaurant
> restrooms is "Employees must wash hands before returning to work." It
> seems to me this is intended to do the same work (lay down the rule)
> without appearing to be dictatorial.
>
> Craig
>
>
>> Here is Random House's basic summary of "shall" usage:
>>
>> The traditional rule of usage guides dates from the 17th century
>> and says
>> that to denote future time shall is used in the first person ( I
>> shall
>> leave. We shall go ) and will in all other persons ( You will be
>> there,
>> won't you? He will drive us to the airport. They will not be at the
>> meeting ).
>> The rule continues that to express determination, will is used in
>> the
>> first
>> person ( We will win the battle ) and shall in the other two
>> persons (
>> You
>> shall not bully us. They shall not pass ). Whether this rule was ever
>> widely
>> observed is doubtful. Today, will is used overwhelmingly in all
>> three
>> persons and in all types of speech and writing both for the simple
>> future
>> and to express determination. Shall has some use in all persons,
>> chiefly
>> in
>> formal writing or speaking, to express determination: I shall
>> return. We
>> shall overcome. Shall also occurs in the language of laws and
>> directives:
>> All visitors shall observe posted regulations. Most educated
>> native users
>> of American English do not follow the textbook rule in making a
>> choice
>> between shall and will.
>>
>> shall. (n.d.). *Dictionary.com Unabridged*. Retrieved June 04,
>> 2011, from
>> Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shall
>>
>> John
>>
>> On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 10:09 PM, Kathleen Ward
>> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>> I've always heard it called the deonatic use ofnthe modal --
>>> something
>>> that imposes an obligation on the hearer of an utterance. It is a
>>> characteristic of modals in English that they have both deonatic and
>>> epistemically (degree of certainty) uses.
>>>
>>> Kathleen M. Ware.
>>>
>>> University of California, Davis
>>>
>>>
>>> On Saturday, June 4, 2011, Jane Saral <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>> Friends have just returned from their annual pilgrimage to Ashland,
>>> Oregon, and on one flight they saw a sign in the flight
>>> attendants' area
>>> that said, "Hands shall be washed before serving food or drink."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> What is this use of "shall" called?
>>>>
>>>> Jane Saral
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