# Shall we use shall? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2010, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012 "2010-03-27T12:03:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/41 "2010-03-29T02:05:15Z")
> [@Risha](#): > > However, the others are right that “should we go to dinner now?” does not mean the same thing as “shall we go to dinner now?”. Actually, I can’t even think of a good way to rephrase without the “shall”. I believe that preferred modern usage is this situation is, “wannaeat?” The preferred response is a “uhdunno” accompanied by a shrug. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/42 "2010-03-29T15:34:28Z")
I love shall. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/43 "2010-03-29T15:46:16Z")
In the interpretation of the Fire Codes set forth in the NFPA regulations, “shall” means that you must do this. “Should” is used when the document is recommending that you do something a certain way, but it is not necessary to meet the Fire Code ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/44 "2010-03-29T17:14:31Z")
I experienced this same problem in Francophone Cameroon. I could not convince my students that nobody talks like that! I never use shall and can’t think of anyone who does. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/45 "2010-03-29T17:20:54Z")
A lot of British people use it especially kids IME. The French are probably getting it from tourists/British TV. So it is used but not by Yanks, Paddies etc. It’s not really used all that much in Ireland but you hear it all the time from polite little English kids. “Mommy, shall we go to the shops?” ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/46 "2010-03-29T18:06:31Z")
I’m reminded of that viral video where the one kid punches the British kid (who’s at the computer) in the head. The British kid rubs his head and goes: “I can’t believe you’ve done this!” Even when they’re fighting, they’re proper. ---
**Author:** ![rinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinni)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012/47 "2010-03-29T20:07:51Z")
I’ve never thought there was anything strange about the word “shall” and I use it myself. I never think twice about it when I hear someone else use it, either. This is all, as **Colibri** put it, news to me! I also have to say how much I love this thread title. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012.md?page=2)