Volition and obligation ( subjectiveness

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4.1. Volition and obligation ( subjectiveness - objective meaning)
This volition and obligation meaning is often appeared if the subject is the second or the third person. "Will" expresses the subject volition, but this expresses the speaker's volition. The obligation and the engagement meanings are often seen. See the following examples.

(2)
a. Thou shalt not kill.
(Exod. 20:13)
b. Good dog, you shall have a bone when we get home. (Leech: 1987)
(Since you are good, I'll give it to you.)

(2a) is a biblical quotation. (2b) is used for a pet. It implicates the haughtiness, it is often used for the pet and children. (*17)

*17	The next example is used for the children (Leech:1987). You shall stay with us as long as you like. (You can do it.)

This is often used with the legislation and the rule. (*18)

*18	This is almost used with them.

(3)
a. Persons under 20 shall not be permitted to drink.
b. The students shall not drive to school.

Now, if "shall" is used for the interrogative sentence, the suggestion and the invitation are seen. These usages are often used. See the following examples.

(4)
a. Shall I carry your bag?
b. Shall I make you a coffee?
c. Shall we have dinner?

For example, (4a) can be changed into the following.

(5)
Do you want me to carry your bag?

"Do you want me to" and "Would you like me to" are also used instead. These tend to be used more than this "shall." (*19)

*19	Since it asks the hearer's volition, "shall we?" is used for the tag question of "let's." Let's have some lunch, shall we?

Moreover, if the third person is used, it means making someone do something. See the following example.

(6)
Shall he wait for a few minutes?

The above can be changed into the following.

(7)
Do you want him to wait for a few minutes?

This is used more than "shall."

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