whether we should vs whether we shall

Both "whether we should" and "whether we shall" are correct, but "Whether we should" is used to discuss the appropriateness or correctness of an action, while "whether we shall" is used to talk about future events or intentions.

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 25, 2025 • 6127 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to discuss the appropriateness or correctness of an action.

"whether we should"

This phrase is used to question the rightness or advisability of a particular course of action.

Examples:

We need to consider whether we should invest in this project.
I'm not sure whether we should go to the party tonight.
Let's discuss whether we should hire more staff.
She is debating whether we should move to a new city.
The team is deciding whether we should change our strategy.

Show examples from the web [+]

The question is whether we should try and get it back to Ana... the Jedi knight.
The question is whether we should allow rich corporations to use provisions hidden in so-called trade agreements to dictate how we will live in the twenty-first century.
Find out if they're happy, and whether we should be worried.
We're still trying to figure out whether we should move to Canada.
We have long wondered whether we should make a review.
I do not know whether we should rely on old macroeconomic ways for tackling this problem.
About whether we should be together or not.
To repeat: you have asked whether we should introduce sectoral or global monitoring regulations.
But what may confuse us is whether we should use the free keylogger for Mac.
The making is usually fast, however this does not determine whether we should spend a long or short time to them.
The key issue now under debate is whether we should have a strict or a relaxed admission policy.
We have repeatedly asked ourselves whether we should treat cultural objects in the same way as goods and services.
Mr President, much as I respect Mrs van Bladel, I really doubt whether we should change our approach radically.
I would be interested to know what you think about this and whether we should leave it to the companies involved to decide the technical alternatives.
Agricultural policy has indeed changed recently, and I do not know whether we should be that pleased with every aspect of this change.
I ask myself whether we should really be ruling out certain things now in paragraph 12.
By contrast, the reply to the question of whether we should pursue the smooth integration of immigrants already living and working among us is self-evident.
It is questionable whether we should enter into an agreement with Algeria where human rights are being violated on such a massive scale, even by government officials.
I wondered whether we should speak again.
Altesse was wondering whether we should fire Mr Cornet.

Alternatives:

whether we ought to
whether we need to
whether it is appropriate to

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in modern English. It is used to talk about future events or intentions.

"whether we shall"

This phrase is used to inquire about future actions or plans.

Examples:

I wonder whether we shall meet again.
Do you know whether we shall have good weather tomorrow?
He asked whether we shall be able to finish the project on time.
The question is whether we shall be able to reach our goal.
She is uncertain whether we shall be able to attend the event.

Show examples from the web [+]

And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take. Forever and forever farewell, Cassius. If we do meet again, why, we shall ...
“It is not given to us to know whether we shall succeed or not. In failure there is no disgrace. There can be but one ultimate shame… the cowardice of not having ...
And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take: For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall ...
And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take: For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall ...

Alternatives:

whether we will
whether we are going to
whether we are likely to

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whether we should vs whether we shall

"whether we should"

"whether we shall"

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