[Grammar] Should or Shall I open the window?

[cubezero3]

Hello, everyone.

I think it should be Should I open the window. But my grammar book says that I am wrong.

Many thanks

Richard

 

[Raymott]

Hello, everyone.

I think it should be Should I open the window? But my grammar book says that I am wrong.

Many thanks

Richard

Your grammar book has no business telling you that you are wrong in saying "Should I open the window?" However, the answer would depend on what "it" is, in "I think it should be...." You think what should be? They are two different sentences.

 

[cubezero3]

Hi, Raymott.

I thought about my question again and realized what I wanted to say was that Shall I open the window, as a sentence, doesn't seem to make sense. This sentence is a question that can't be answered. How can another person know whether I will open the window or not?

 

[Raymott]

Hi, Raymott.

I thought about my question again and realized what I wanted to say was that Shall I open the window, as a sentence, doesn't seem to make sense. This sentence is a question that can't be answered. How can another person know whether I will open the window or not?

I'm not an expert on 'shall/will'. I rarely use 'shall'. But there is nothing wrong with this sentence, at least in AusE. For practical purposes, it means the same as "Should I ..." You are asking the other person about the advisability of opening the window.

 

[Hedwig]

Shall I is an expression used in English to volunteer to do something. It's more or less like asking would you like me to open the window?

In my humble opinion "should I" sounds a bit more tentative, as though asking for permission, almost.

H.
not a teacher

 

[Tdol]

Hedwig's explanation is how I would use them in BrE.