Niwantha
What is the difference between "will keep you posted" and "shall keep you posted"? Hi friends, What is the difference between "will keep you posted" and "shall keep you posted"? Thanks in advance, Niwantha
Sep 12, 2018 6:00 AM
Answers · 10
4
Hi Niwantha, In traditional grammar, "shall" is used with the first person pronoun ("I" and "we") to describe a future action while "will" is used with the second ("you") and third person pronoun ("they", "it", "she", "he"). However, this rule is not being observed or even heard of nowadays: no one will batter an eyelid if you use "will" instead of "shall". "Shall" has its place in formal instructions, commands and legal contracts. It has an element of strong assertion. An example: You shall indemnify us against any liability with respect to or resulting from your delay in paying or failing to pay any such GST, or any other Taxes. You will be safe using "will keep you posted". Just as a side discussion, you can also use "will have to" to add a sense of command to a future action. Example: To accomplish my mission, I shall / will have to be very focused. I hope this helps.
September 12, 2018
3
It’s a phrase that’s used informally a lot, just as ‘I’ll keep you posted’. ‘Shall’probably appears in older or more formal books on English language more than it does in speech. To use shall here it would be better to change the whole expression, to make it sound more formal, e.g ‘I shall endeavour to keep you informed’.
September 12, 2018
2
Will and shall have the same meaning technically, but shall is almost never used in conversation. It is really only seen in very formal speech.
September 12, 2018
2
Probably the age and maybe formality of the speaker. :)
September 12, 2018
On the flip-side, I think technically "shall" is only used with the first person. I shall keep you posted. (Ok) He shall keep you posted. (No) . So, in that sense, "will" is more useful.
September 12, 2018
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