Hello all! My lastest query is regarding the contracted form shan't. I wanted to know if this form is still commonly used in the U.K. or is it used mainly in more formal English or perhaps more with the older generations.
By the way, Americans never use "shan't" and rarely "shall not". We normally don't use shall or shall not to talk about the future, although we do occasionally use "Shall we...?" to make a suggestion (e.g. "Shall we go now?") but we rarely use the "Shall I...? construction, even to make suggestions.
We also normally don't use the negative contracted forms mustn't and needn't, although we occasionally use must not (but only to speak of probability, e.g. "He must not be home.") and need not (e.g. You need not worry!). We do use must in the affirmative to speak of obligation, the same as the British, but we tend to prefer the have to construction for the same thing:
You must do your homework before watching tv. (occasional usage)
You have to do your homework before watching tv. (preferred usage)
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This is just a footnote. In the U.S., the verb form "shall" is also commonly used in contracts and other legal documents, etc. (e.g. The rentee shall pay the renter at the first of ever month...etc.)
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Dave, shan't is used more in formal or polite communications. You don't hear it that often. I think "won't" or "will not" has replaced it in common speech.
ReplyDelete"Shall we" and "Shall I" are used to offer a suggestion but again it's using a more polite form to do so.
AW UK