Re: Will
| From: | BP Jonsson <bpj@...> |
|---|
| Date: | Monday, April 17, 2000, 18:34 |
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At 01:08 17.4.2000 -0500, Patrick Dunn wrote:
> >
> > Historically, "will" represented simple futurity, whereas "shall" had
> > overtones of intention, command, suggestion, or what not, *except* in
> > the 1st person where the pattern was reversed.
>
>How ever did this queer pattern evolve? I've never understood it.
>
>And, of course, "shall" is often used in all persons to emphsize intent or
>constraint. "The undersigned shall blah blah blah"
I would tend to use only _will_ for futurity, and _shall_ in the
intent/constraint sense. This clearly is influenced by the fact that I'm
Swedish: in Swedish _skall_ normally covers both functions, but to express
futurity there are some alternatives (_komma_ + infinitive, simple present)
that are not available for intent/constraint (altho _måste_ can be used for
constraint).
My question is if this usage where futurity = _will_ and intent/constraint
= _shall_ seems artificial, contrived or just plain wrong to natives? If
so I shall make an effort to change my usage in accordance with your will!
/BP
B.Philip Jonsson <mailto:bpj@...>bpj@netg.se
<mailto:melroch@...>melroch@my-deja.com
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