World, Writing, Wealth discussion

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message 1: by Nik (new)

Nik Krasno | 19852 comments Since English is not my native tongue, I shouldn't attempt to know the difference, however I wonder whether those who started speaking it since one year old age, differentiate between these often academic subtleties?


message 2: by Ian (new)

Ian Miller | 1857 comments The difference that I was taught very early in school was:
(a) 1st person - shall is simple future, will expresses determination, e.g. I will do that means it shall be done.
(b) 2nd and third person - just to be confusing, they are reversed, hence the subtlety of my example.

My version of Fowler supports that for English English. Of course contractions lose the subtlety, and as Fowler suggests, the subtlety is lost on many, and may well be on the verge of being lost altogether ( 😢)


message 3: by Judith (new)

Judith Rand | 16 comments Nik wrote: "Since English is not my native tongue, I shouldn't attempt to know the difference, however I wonder whether those who started speaking it since one year old age, differentiate between these often a..."

Dear Nik, I am not an English teacher but sensitive to the nuances of each word and think there is a significant difference between
shall I and will I . Shall I implies a certain question of doubt as to whether I want to do something and will I denotes that even if I
want to do something will I do it/


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