Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Declaratives with will and shall

413c

Declaratives with will occur in commands in very formal styles, but are rare in

everyday conversation:

‘You can’t come in here. Who asked you in? 

You will please leave

, this minute.’

We protested, naturally, …

Declaratives with shall occur in very formal contexts, and in archaic, literary

styles to express commands:

‘Arthur, you must repent!’ cried I, in a frenzy of desperation, throwing my arms

around him and burying my face in his bosom. 

‘

You shall say you are sorry for

what you have done!’

‘Well, well, I am.’

There Fanny, 

you shall carry that parcel for me

– take great care of it – do not

let it fall; it is a cream cheese, just like the excellent one we had at dinner.