Had a discussion about the difference of connotation between "You shall" and "You will"; after discussion I became curious about which would be more appropriate in the context below.
The Context:
There's a man, named John, who is, as a mortal, going to die someday, and another man, an ardent some-pseudo-religion believer, who knocked on John's door to offer the religion of his. However, the fanatic was refused and said "but remember. You will/shall die someday," calmly like a soft breeze.
My question is:
If the fanatic had said shall, would it have been as if he was implying that John was inevitably going to die, no matter his will would be; that "you'd better believe God"--with some offence hidden under shall?
And if he'd said will, would it have been as if he was reminding John of the fact that John was going to die; that "it's the best for you to believe God"--with no offence?
And what if the fanatic had been just a normal religious man who casually came to offer the religion, then what would've been more likely for him to say? Shall or will? Or would either of them have been too offensive to say someone?
Answer
The will/shall distinction is both vague and controversial but the general consensus is that shall indicates intent, obligation, or duty, while will refers to simple futurity.
To anyone who subscribes to this dichotomy, the sentence "You will die" is an unarguable observation about human mortality, but "You shall die" is nothing less than a threat.
Edit I have heard people prescribe shall for first person and will for second and third, but I have never, ever heard anyone following that recommendation. Ditto with using "will" to mean intent for first person.
In the song "We Shall Overcome", the singers are announcing their resolve, not smugly predicting victory. My favorite line in The Devil Wore Prada, a movie full of witty lines, comes from this exchange.
Andy: Wish me luck!
Emily: No. Shan't.
I am going to use that line at some point. "Have a good day!" "No. Shan't."
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