What is the difference between these two and does it really matter nowadays?

I've heard that, traditionally, 'shall' was used for the first person - but nowadays 'I will' is more popular.

I just tend to use which sounds better - for me, shall sounds more formal, and also sounds more definite, as if there is more of a purpose.

Is there any particular rule that a modern editor follows?

Cheers.

I was taught this at school – one of the few things I remember LOL!

I shall drown and no one will save me.
This means I am going to drown because there’s no one to save me.

I will drown and no one shall save me.
This means I am determined to drown whether anyone tries to save me or not.

So will is more active – something you make happen, and shall is passive – it will happen if nothing else happens to prevent it.

Does that make sense? Of course it could be all bollocks!

Dee

Oxford Everyday Grammar to the rescue:

Traditionally, as you say, 'I shall' and 'You/he will',

and reversed for empasis: 'I will go', 'You shall go'

But "increasingly, 'will' has become common in all uses"

The only exception is 'Shall I do this?', where 'Will I do this' is only common in regional English. Meself, I think of it as very Irish, but maybe other regions to?

Emma

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But yes, come to think of it, I was taught what Dee was taught too - quite a useful distinction, I think.

Yes, that is interesting, Dee, and the opposite of what i thought - so much for instincts

Hmm. I don't suppose i need to worry about i too much - but you know me, i like to know what the rules are...

Thanks, guys.

Butting in here as an Irish person... I really notice that English people use 'shall' for making suggestions. 'Shall we go for a walk?' 'Shall we have another drink?' In Ireland, this usage isn't the norm. 'Will we go for a walk?' etc

That's interesting, Sheilab.

My French nieces learn irregukar Ebngliush verbns the way we learn French ones. The way they learned it is that there are too different verbs:

(1) Simple future:

I shall
You will
He/she will

We shall
You will
They will

(2) Imperative or indicative of desire (as in 'Cinderella shall go to the ball'; 'I will get to the finishing line':

I will
You shall
He/she shall

We will
You shall
They shall

That's how I always remember which to use.

Rosy x

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And I hope my nieces can spell 'English' better than I seem to be able to!