Sentence: "We shall do it = We have to/should do it."

[Sureshvemuri]

Is this usage okay?

We shall do it = We may/may not do it (less assurance).

All of us shall do it= All of us SHOULD do it.
We will do it = We promise that we will do it definitely.
He shall do it = He should do it.
They shall complete = They should be completed (we are ordering/we are giving assurance).

Thanks,
Suresh

[Alan]

Hi,

The use of these two modals 'will' and 'shall' can sometimes be confusing. Generally 'will' has the sense of wanting or wishing or promising. 'Shall' in the first person refers not only to a future idea but also to a determination to do something. When we use 'shall' with the second and third person, we are in a way determining what they ( 2nd and 3rd person(s) ) are going to do and this is in a sense an order or a command.

To comment on your text:

We shall do it = We may/may not do it (less assurance). This suggests that nothing will stop us/we are determined
All of us shall do it= All of us SHOULD do it. This expresses the same idea as above
We will do it = We promise that we will do it definitely. I agree
He shall do it = He should do it. This is someone telling him to do it
They shall complete = They should be completed (Why passive?) (we are ordering/we are giving assurance). This is someone telling them to complete.

Alan
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[Sureshvemuri]

Thank you Alan, for your comprehensive reply and also for your time.

Thanks,
Suresh