I shall come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I shall come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a future intention or promise to arrive or attend an event. Example: "If you need me at the meeting, I shall come without hesitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I shall come to that point later.

The Guardian

I shall come at you with everything I've got.

The New Yorker

DR. SIEMERS: I shall come back to Document C-32.

Yale University

I shall come back later to a brief discussion of the Guardian's complaints procedures.

The Guardian

I shall come up with a costume idea for each one of them.

The New Yorker

Lady makes her point forcefully, and I shall come to the points that she and my hon.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm also predictifying that no predictification can possibly come true unless the Predictifier starts it by saying "thence it shall come to pass".

The New Yorker

ODYSSEUS: Yes; for I too shall come to that need.

The New Yorker

"I think Matteo Darmian shall come [back] next week and then maybe already against Chelsea.

BBC

I am thrilled what shall come next and have BEES IN MY BONNET.

BBC

I have doubts whether we shall come through".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. "I shall come" may be more appropriate in formal writing or speeches than in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "I shall come" when referring to someone else's actions or intentions. "Shall" is primarily used with "I" and "we" to express future tense. For other subjects, use "will".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I shall come" functions as a future tense construction. It expresses the speaker's intention or promise to arrive at a certain place or event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although it is recognized as more formal than its counterpart, "I will come".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I shall come" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express future intention, albeit less common in modern English than "I will come". As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds usage in formal contexts like news and academic writing. While technically correct, its formality should be considered, with alternatives like "I will come" or "I am going to come" often being more suitable for everyday conversation. Therefore, choose "I shall come" when aiming for a formal or slightly archaic tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I will come

Uses the more common auxiliary verb "will" instead of "shall" to express future action, making it slightly less formal.

I am going to come

Employs the "going to" construction, which is generally more informal than "shall" and suggests a planned future action.

I intend to come

Focuses on the intention to arrive, highlighting the speaker's purpose.

I plan to come

Similar to "intend to come", but emphasizes the planning aspect of the arrival.

I am coming

Present continuous tense indicating a future event, often implying immediate or near-future arrival.

I will be there

Focuses on the presence at a location rather than the act of coming.

I am going to be there

More informal version of 'I will be there', indicating future presence.

I will arrive

Replaces "come" with the more specific verb "arrive", emphasizing the completion of the journey.

Expect me

A more forceful and less polite way of indicating future arrival.

I am on my way

Indicates that the speaker has already started their journey and will arrive soon.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "I shall come" instead of "I will come"?

While both express future intention, "I shall come" is more formal and less common in modern English. It is suitable for formal writing, speeches, or when aiming for an archaic tone. In most everyday contexts, "I will come" is preferred.

What is the difference between "I shall come" and "I am coming"?

"I shall come" expresses a future intention or promise to arrive. "I am coming" uses the present continuous tense to indicate a future event, often implying immediate or near-future arrival. The latter suggests you are already in the process of arriving.

Can "I shall come" be used in questions?

While technically possible, using "shall I come?" to ask a question is less common than using "should I come?" or "will I come?". "Shall I?" is often used to offer help or seek permission, but with "come" it sounds archaic.

What are some alternative ways to express the same idea as "I shall come"?

You can use alternatives like "I will be there", "I plan to attend", or "I intend to come" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.