Traditionally, shall is used for the future tense with the first-person pronouns I and We: I shall, we shall. Will is used with the first-person (again, I refer to traditional usage) only when we wish to express determination. The opposite is true for the second-person (you) and third-person (he, she, it, they) pronouns: Will is used in the future tense, and shall is used only when we wish to express determination or to emphasize certainty. Although this is the traditional distinction between shall and will, many linguists and grammarians have challenged this rule, and it is often not observed, even in formal writing. Personally, I still try to remember to follow it, even though the use of shall seems to be declining. Here are some examples, applying the traditional rule. First-person pronouns: > I shall attend the meeting. (Simple future tense) > I will attend the meeting. (Simple future tense but with an added sense of certainty or determination) > Regardless of the weather, we shall go to the city. (Simple future tense) > Regardless of the weather, we will go to the city. (Simple future tense but with an added sense of certainty or determination) Second-person pronoun: > You will receive a refund. (Simple future tense) > You shall receive a refund. (Simple future tense but with an added sense of certainty or determination) Third-person pronoun: > It will be done on time. (Simple future tense) > It shall be done on time. (Simple future tense but with an added sense of certainty or determination) I believe that will is usually the better choice with second- and third-person pronouns. If we wish to express certainty or determination, we do not need to use shall but can provide emphasis by using an adverb, such as certainly or definitely. However, I believe that the distinction between shall and will that I mention above is useful with first-person pronouns.

First, google "Modal verbs in English" that will help. Now Shall, is used to express an opinion, like all "modal verbs." Check this out: I shall go to the store, I will go to the store, I must go to the store. All sentences are correct, but the verb (these MODAL verbs) changes the meaning slightly. That's why they are so confusing, they all "SOUND CORRECT" in sentences, but they may not be the correct choice, for what YOU want to say. So let's look at this, shall we? In terms of HOW we use it, as a grammar thing, here's two points: Polite requests in first person (I), they go like this: Shall I start the car? Because to reverse it, and put "I" in front makes it a statement, so you are no longer asking, you're telling someone that you are going to do it. I shall start the car. First instance (Hey what's YOUR opinion on the matter, SHALL I START THE CAR?) [I want to know if YOU think that I should do that.] Second instance (Hey, this IS my opinion on the matter, I SHALL START THE CAR) [I want you to know, that I think that I should start the car] Also you can't put two modal beside each other: (Will can, Shall should) I shall should..... (doesn't sound right), you can use phrasal verbs I will be able to .... Those are two easily understandable rules that you can apply quickly. Now onto the meaning of this modal verb shall. Without getting too complicated here are two explanations (1) Polite question to make a suggestion ----- Shall I open the window? (2) future with I or we as subject ------- I shall arrive at nine. When Shall is used with "I" or "we" in a question, hte speaker is usally making a suggestion and asking another person if she/he agrees with this suggestion. Shall I open the window? Is that okay with you? Sometimes shall we? is used as a tag question after "let's". More informally, okay? is used as a tag question. Think of it as saying OKAY or asking if something is okay.