Use will + infinitive to talk about the future, often with I think. Use shall only with I and we, and do not use will for plans you have already made.
A will + infinitive
Kieran works in a bakery. He is there every morning from five until one.
It is ten o'clock now. Kieran is at work. At ten o'clock yesterday, he was at work. At ten o'clock tomorrow, he will be at work, covered in flour, as usual.
The form is will + infinitive (will be, will win, will come etc.):
| Subject | will | Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| I / we / you / they / he / she / it | will ('ll) | be, win, eat, come etc. |
| I / we / you / they / he / she / it | will not (won't) | be, win, eat, come etc. |
Questions: Will I / you / she ... be? win? come?
'll = will: I'll, you'll, she'll etc. won't = will not: I won't, he won't etc.
- Kieran will be at work tomorrow.
- I'll be there at six.
- She won't be home until late.
- Will they win on Saturday?
B will for the future
We use will for the future (tomorrow, next week etc.).
We often say I think ... will ... and I don't think ... will .... Note that we say I don't think it will, not 'I think it won't'.
- Fiona travels a lot for work. Today she's in Glasgow. Tomorrow she'll be in Aberdeen.
- Ring me after lunch. I'll be in the office.
- Put the crisps on the table. The kids will eat them.
- We'll probably stay in tonight.
- Will you be at home on Sunday?
- I won't be at the meeting tomorrow. (= I will not be there)
- Don't have a big coffee now. You won't sleep.
- I think Ravi will get the job.
- I don't think it will snow tonight.
- Do you think the test will be hard?
C Not will for plans you have already made
Do not use will for things you have already arranged or decided to do. Use the present continuous or going to instead (Units 25 and 26).
- We're going to a wedding on Saturday. (not 'We will go')
- I'm not working on Friday. (not 'I won't work')
- Are you going to sell your car? (not 'Will you sell')
D shall
You can say I shall (= I will) and we shall (= we will). Both are correct; I will and we will are more usual in everyday speech.
Do not use shall with you, they, he, she, it.
- I shall be away next week. or I will (I'll) be away next week.
- I hope we shall see you soon. or I hope we will (we'll) see you soon.
- Ben will be late. (not 'Ben shall be late')
Exercises
27.1 Rhys is touring Britain by train. Last week: Edinburgh. Three days ago: York. Yesterday: Manchester. Now: Birmingham. Tomorrow: Oxford. Next week: Cardiff. Complete the sentences with he was, he's or he'll be.
Yesterday he was in Manchester.
Yesterday he was in Manchester.
Tomorrow in Oxford.
Tomorrow he'll be in Oxford.
Last week in Edinburgh.
Last week he was in Edinburgh.
Next week in Cardiff.
Next week he'll be in Cardiff.
At the moment in Birmingham.
At the moment he's in Birmingham.
Three days ago in York.
Three days ago he was in York.
At the end of his tour very tired.
At the end of his tour he'll be very tired.
27.2 Where will you be? Write sentences about yourself. Use I'll be ..., I'll probably be ... or I don't know where I'll be.
(at nine o'clock tomorrow morning)
Example answer: I'll probably be on the bus.
(two hours from now)
Example answer: I'll be at home.
(at eleven o'clock tonight)
Example answer: I'll probably be in bed.
(at lunchtime tomorrow)
Example answer: I'll be in the canteen at work.
(five years from now)
Example answer: I don't know where I'll be.
27.3 Put in will ('ll) or won't.
Don't eat that cake now. You won't want your dinner.
Don't eat that cake now. You won't want your dinner.
"Is the bathroom free?" "Not yet. I be out in two minutes."
"Is the bathroom free?" "Not yet. I'll be out in two minutes."
I'm visiting my parents in Hull this weekend, so I be at the party on Saturday.
I'm visiting my parents in Hull this weekend, so I won't be at the party on Saturday.
It be cold today, so you don't need your big coat.
It won't be cold today, so you don't need your big coat.
A: My back hurts. B: Have a hot bath. You feel better afterwards.
A: My back hurts. B: Have a hot bath. You'll feel better afterwards.
It's my nan's birthday in May. She be ninety.
It's my nan's birthday in May. She'll be ninety.
I'm sorry I forgot your book again. It happen next time, I promise.
I'm sorry I forgot your book again. It won't happen next time, I promise.
27.4 Write sentences beginning I think ... or I don't think ....
(Ravi will get the job)
I think Ravi will get the job.
I think Ravi will get the job.
(Ravi won't get the job)
I don't think Ravi will get the job.
I don't think Ravi will get the job.
(we'll find a parking space)
I think we'll find a parking space.
(I won't be at work on Monday)
I don't think I'll be at work on Monday.
(Dad will like the jumper)
I think Dad will like the jumper.
(they won't sell their house)
I don't think they'll sell their house.
(you won't like the restaurant)
I don't think you'll like the restaurant.
27.5 Which is right? Look at Unit 25 before you do this exercise.
(We'll go / We're going) to a gig on Friday. Josh has got the tickets.
We're going
We're going to a gig on Friday. Josh has got the tickets.
"(What will you do / What are you doing) on Saturday afternoon?" "Nothing much. Why?"
"What are you doing on Saturday afternoon?" "Nothing much. Why?"
(They'll fly / They're flying) to Malaga on Tuesday. Their flight is at 6.30.
They're flying to Malaga on Tuesday. Their flight is at 6.30.
Ask your uncle for the money. I'm sure (he'll help / he's helping) you. He's very generous.
Ask your uncle for the money. I'm sure he'll help you. He's very generous.
"Why have you got your trainers on?" "(I'll go / I'm going) for a run."
"Why have you got your trainers on?" "I'm going for a run."
Do you think Leanne (will ring / is ringing) us before the weekend?
Do you think Leanne will ring us before the weekend?
Sam can't come to the cinema on Sunday. (He'll visit / He's visiting) his grandmother.
Sam can't come to the cinema on Sunday. He's visiting his grandmother.
(Will / Shall) you be in the office tomorrow morning?
Will you be in the office tomorrow morning?