shall (shal or, when stressed, shal) V. aux. (pres. shall, or '11 (after I or we), exc. 2 sing. (arch.) shalt, neg. shall not, (colloq.) shan't pr. shahnt; past should pr. Shood or shud, or 'd (after I or we), exc. 2 sing. (arch.) shouldst pr.shoodst, or shouldest pr.shdoodist, neg. should not, (colloq.) shouldn't pr. shoodent; (no other parts used). 1. In first person (the others having will, would) forming simple future or conditional statement or question (we shall hear about it tomorrow; I should have been killed f I had let go; shall I hear from you soon?; should I hear from you in that case?) or emphatic intention (I shall return). 2. In 2nd and 3rd persons (1st having will, would) forming future or conditional statement expressing speaker's will or intention (you shall not catch me again; he should not have gone f I could have prevented it). 3. (Less often than will, would) in sentences of type 1 changed in reporting from 1st to other person (he says or said, you say or said, that he, you, shall or should never manage it). 4.Replacing will or would in sentences of type 1 changed in reporting from 2nd or 3rd person to 1st (he says I shall never manage it, reporting you will never). 5. In reporting sentences of type 2 that contained shall or should (you promised I, he, should not catch you at it again). 6. In 2nd-person questions corresponding to type 1, by attraction to expected answer (shall you be going to church?) or to avoid implication of request in will  7. In any person to form statements or questions involving the notions of command and future or conditional duty, obligation, likelihood, etc., (thou shalt not steal; any person failing to display the licence shall be guilty of an offence; I, you, he, should really have been more careful; shall I, he, open the door?; we should be safe now; why should I, you, he, obey?; (iron.) I should WORRY). 8. In any person to form conditional protasis or indefinite clause (if when, we shall be defeated or defeat shall overtake us; anyone who should say; it is surprising that I, you, they, should be or have been so foolish; If you should happen to be there; should I, she, be there I will tell her; (in tentative or modest expression) I should like to disagree, I should say it is time). 9. Alternatively with may, might, in any person in purpose-clause (in order that I, you, he, shall or should not be able). 10. it should SEEM;  you ~find, (arch.) be sure you will find. [OE sceal, = OHG scal, OS, ON, Goth. skal, preterite-present v. f. Gmc *skal-, *skul- owe f. IE *skel- etc]