Use I'll when you offer or decide to do something at the moment of speaking, and Shall I ... ? or Shall we ... ? to ask whether something is a good idea.
A I'll ... for offers and decisions made now
A woman is struggling up the steps with a pushchair. A man says: I'll help you. He did not plan this. He decided at that moment.
You can use I'll ... (I will) when you offer or decide to do something.
We often say I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ... when we decide to do something.
Do not use the present simple (I go, I ring etc.) in sentences like these.
- "This suitcase weighs a ton." "I'll take it for you."
- "I'll text you later, OK?" "Fine. See you."
- I'm shattered. I think I'll have an early night.
- It's a lovely evening. I think I'll walk home.
- It's pouring down. I don't think I'll go to the gym.
- I'll text you later. (not 'I text you later')
- I think I'll walk home. (not 'I think I walk home')
B Not I'll for things you decided before
Do not use I'll for something you decided before now. Use the present continuous or going to (Units 25 and 26).
- I'm working on Saturday. (not 'I'll work')
- There's a documentary about volcanoes tonight. I'm going to watch it. (not 'I'll watch')
- What are you doing on Sunday? (not 'What will you do')
C Shall I ... ? Shall we ... ?
The phone rings. Gwen looks up and says: Shall I get it? Her husband says: No, it's fine. I'll get it.
Shall I ... ? and Shall we ... ? mean: Do you think this is a good thing to do? Do you think this is a good idea?
- It's stuffy in here. Shall I open the door?
- "Shall I pick you up at seven?" "Yes, please."
- I've got an interview tomorrow. What shall I wear?
- The sun's out. Shall we go to the beach?
- Where shall we eat tonight?
- "Let's go into town on Saturday." "OK. What time shall we meet?"
Exercises
28.1 Complete the sentences. Use I'll (I will) + one of these verbs.
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"I can't reach the top shelf." "I'll get it for you."
"I can't reach the top shelf." "I'll get it for you."
"I've left my purse at home." "Don't worry. for the coffees."
"I've left my purse at home." "Don't worry. I'll pay for the coffees."
"It's very warm in here." " a window."
"It's very warm in here." "I'll open a window."
"I need a pen for this form." "Here, you mine."
"I need a pen for this form." "Here, I'll lend you mine."
"Did you ring the garage about the car?" "Oh no, I forgot. them now."
"Did you ring the garage about the car?" "Oh no, I forgot. I'll ring them now."
"Is there anything to eat?" "Sit down. you a sandwich."
"Is there anything to eat?" "Sit down. I'll make you a sandwich."
"I've missed the last bus." "Get in the car. you home."
"I've missed the last bus." "Get in the car. I'll take you home."
28.2 Complete the sentences. Use I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ... + one of these verbs.
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It's raining hard today. I don't think I'll cycle to work.
It's raining hard today. I don't think I'll cycle to work.
I'm really thirsty. a glass of water.
I'm really thirsty. I think I'll have a glass of water.
This film is so boring. the end of it.
This film is so boring. I don't think I'll watch the end of it.
These trainers are far too expensive. them.
These trainers are far too expensive. I don't think I'll get them.
28.3 Which is right? Write the correct form.
I'll ring (I ring / I'll ring) you later, OK?
I'll ring you later, OK?
I haven't cleaned the bathroom yet. (I do / I'll do) it this afternoon.
I haven't cleaned the bathroom yet. I'll do it this afternoon.
I love the radio. (I listen / I'll listen) to it every morning in the car.
I love the radio. I listen to it every morning in the car.
I can't keep my eyes open. I think (I go / I'll go) to bed.
I can't keep my eyes open. I think I'll go to bed.
Nadia (is going to start / will start) a new job in March. She told me last night.
Nadia is going to start a new job in March. She told me last night.
"This parcel is for Mr Webb next door." "OK. (I take / I'll take / I'm going to take) it round to him."
"This parcel is for Mr Webb next door." "OK. I'll take it round to him."
A: (Are you doing / Will you do) anything on Saturday? B: Yes, (I'm going / I'll go) to a wedding in Chester.
A: Are you doing anything on Saturday? B: Yes, I'm going to a wedding in Chester.
28.4 Write sentences with Shall I ... ? Choose one verb from box A and one phrase from box B. Box A: close, make, put on, ring. Box B: a cup of tea, a taxi, the curtains, the heating.
It's freezing in this room.
Shall I put the heating on?
It's freezing in this room. Shall I put the heating on?
You look worn out after your journey.
You look worn out after your journey. Shall I make you a cup of tea?
We've missed the last train.
We've missed the last train. Shall I ring for a taxi?
The sun is shining right in my eyes.
The sun is shining right in my eyes. Shall I close the curtains?
28.5 Write sentences with Shall we ... ? Choose one word from box A and one verb from box B. Box A: what, what time, where, who. Box B: ask, cook, get, leave.
"Let's drive to the coast on Sunday." OK, ...
OK, what time shall we leave?
"Let's drive to the coast on Sunday." "OK, what time shall we leave?"
"Let's have some friends round for dinner." OK, ...
"Let's have some friends round for dinner." "OK, who shall we ask?"
"Let's make something special for tea." OK, ...
"Let's make something special for tea." "OK, what shall we cook?"
"Let's buy Mum some flowers." OK, ...
"Let's buy Mum some flowers." "OK, where shall we get them?"