* * * * *
"WILL" AND "SHALL."
(Vol. vii., p. 356.)
The difficulty as to the proper use of the auxiliaries _shall_ and _will_,
will be found to arise from the fact, that while these particles
respectively convey a different idea in the _first_ person singular and
plural, from that which they imply in the _second_ and _third_ persons
singular and plural, the distinction has been lost sight of in the
amalgamation of _both_; as if they were interchangeable, in _one_ tense,
according to the old grammatical formula _I shall_ or _will_. With a view
of giving my own views on the subject, and attempting to supply what
appears to me a grammatical deficiency, I shall proceed to make a few
remarks; from which I trust your Hong Kong correspondent W. T. M. may be
able to form "a clear and definite rule," and students of English assisted
in their attempts to overcome this formidable conversational "shibboleth."
The fact is simply thus:--_Will_ is _volitive_ in the _first_ persons
singular and plural; and simply _declarative_ or _promissory_ in the
_second_ and _third_ persons singular and plural. _Shall_, on the other
hand, is _declaratory_ or _promissory_ in the _first_ person singular and
plural; _volitive_ in the _second_ and _third_ singular and plural. Thus,
the so-called future is properly divisible into _two_ tenses: the _first_
implying _influence_ or _volition_; the _second_ (or future proper)
_intention_ or _promise_. Thus:
1. 2.
I _will_ go. I _shall_ go.
Thou _shalt_ go. Thou _wilt_ go.
He _shall_ go. He _will_ go.
We _will_ go. We _shall_ go.
You _shall_ go. You _will_ go.
They _shall_ go. They _will_ go.
When the above is thoroughly comprehended by the pupil, it will be only
necessary to impress upon his mind (as a concise rule) the necessity of
making use of a different auxiliary in speaking of the future actions of
_others_, when he wishes to convey the same idea respecting _such actions_
which he has done, or should do, in speaking of his _own_, and _vice
versa_. Thus: