Intermediate grammar · Unit 21 · B1

will and shall 1

Future

Use I'll to announce a decision made at the moment of speaking, and to offer, agree or promise. Use shall I ...? and shall we ...? to offer or to ask for a suggestion.

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A I'll: a decision made now

Use I'll (I will) when you have just decided to do something. Saying I'll do it announces the decision as you make it.

Do not use the present simple (I do, I go) in these sentences.

I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ... are very common.

In spoken English, will not is usually won't.

  • Oh, the bins haven't gone out. I'll take them now.
  • "What can I get you?" "I'll have a lemonade, please."
  • "Did you book the table?" "Oh no, I completely forgot. I'll ring them now." (not I ring them now)
  • I'm a bit peckish. I think I'll make some toast.
  • I don't think I'll go to the match. It's freezing.
  • You look busy, so I won't keep you. (I will not keep you)

B Offering, agreeing, promising, refusing

I'll is common when you offer, agree or promise to do something.

Use won't to say that somebody refuses to do something. Machines can refuse too, and frequently do.

Will you (do something)? asks somebody to do it.

  • Those boxes look heavy. I'll carry one for you. (offering; not I carry)
  • "Could you post this letter on your way?" "Of course. I'll drop it in the box by the chemist's." (agreeing)
  • Thanks for covering my shift. I'll do yours next week. (promising)
  • I won't say a word to anybody. I promise.
  • I've asked him to see a doctor, but he won't go.
  • The printer won't print. (the printer refuses to print)
  • Will you please stop tapping your pen? It's driving me up the wall.

C Not for things already arranged

Do not use will for something you decided or arranged before. Use the present continuous (see Unit 19).

  • I'm going to Malta next week. (not I'll go)
  • I'm seeing the bank manager on Tuesday. (decided before)
  • "I'll see you outside the library at two, then?" "Perfect. See you there." (decided now)

D shall I ...? and shall we ...?

Today we use shall mostly in the questions shall I ...? and shall we ...?. Use them to ask whether it is all right to do something, or to ask for a suggestion.

Compare: Shall I turn the heating up? (do you want me to?) and Will you turn the heating up? (I want you to).

  • Shall I put the kettle on? (do you want me to?)
  • I've missed the last bus. What shall I do? (what do you suggest?)
  • "Shall we head off?" "Give me two minutes. I can't find my scarf."
  • "Where shall we go for tea?" "Let's try the new Thai place."

Exercises

21.1 Complete the sentences with I'll + a suitable verb.

  1. "How are you getting to the airport?" "I think I'll get the train."

    "How are you getting to the airport?" "I think I'll get the train."

  2. "It's really dark in here." "Is it? the lamp on, then."

  3. "Can you make the meeting on the twelfth?" "Hang on. my calendar."

  4. "Shall I hoover the stairs?" "No, leave them. it tomorrow."

  5. "I can't work out how to change the ringtone." "Give it here. you."

  6. "Would you like a scone or a teacake?" " a scone, please."

  7. "Are you coming into town with us?" "No, I think at home."

  8. "Can you get the invoices done by Friday?" "Well, , but I can't promise anything."

21.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ....

  1. The radio is very loud and you decide to turn it down. You say: The radio is far too loud. I think I'll turn it down.

    The radio is far too loud. I think I'll turn it down.

  2. You have a headache and you decide to lie down for a while. You say: My head is pounding, so for a bit.

  3. The sun is out and you decide to cycle to work. You say: It's a beautiful morning. . Does anyone want a lift? No? Fair enough.

  4. You were going to have a dessert. Now you decide you have eaten enough. You say: I'm absolutely full. a dessert.

  5. You planned to go to the gym tonight. Now you decide not to go. You say: I'm shattered, so to the gym tonight.

21.3 Which is correct? Choose the right form.

  1. "Have you fed the cat?" "Oh no, I forgot. ___ her now." (I feed / I'll feed)

    I'll feed

    "Have you fed the cat?" "Oh no, I forgot. I'll feed her now."

  2. I can't come to the cinema on Thursday. ___ my grandparents. (I'm visiting / I'll visit)

    I'm visiting

    I can't come to the cinema on Thursday. I'm visiting my grandparents.

  3. "___ you by the clock tower at twelve, all right?" "Yes, that's fine." (I meet / I'll meet)

  4. "Oh, stay for another drink." "Go on, then. ___ for one more, but then I really must go." (I'm staying / I'll stay)

  5. ___ a housewarming on the twentieth. I hope you can make it. (I'm having / I'll have)

  6. "Don't forget to water the tomatoes while I'm away." "Don't worry. ___." (I don't forget / I won't forget)

  7. "Are you doing anything nice at half-term?" "Yes, ___ to Center Parcs." (we're going / we'll go)

  8. "___ anything on Sunday afternoon?" "No, I'm free. Why?" (Are you doing / Will you do)

  9. "___ me a favour?" "Depends what it is." (Do you do / Will you do)

  10. "___ to the gym before work?" "Not usually. I go at lunchtime." (Do you go / Will you go)

  11. I've asked Zoe three times where she was last night, but she ___ me. (doesn't tell / won't tell)

  12. I'm not sure I'll pass my driving test on Monday, but ___ my best. (I'm doing / I'll do)

21.4 What do you say in these situations? Write questions with shall I ...? or shall we ...?.

  1. You and your partner want to do something on Saturday, but you have no idea what. You say:

    What shall we do on Saturday?

    What shall we do on Saturday? Shall we go to the coast?

  2. You and a friend are planning a weekend away, but you have not decided where. You ask your friend:

  3. You are trying on a pair of boots in a shop. You cannot decide whether to buy them. You ask a friend for advice:

  4. You and a friend are going home after a night out. You have to decide whether to get a bus or a taxi. You ask your friend:

  5. Your dad is retiring next month. You want to give him something, but you cannot think what. You ask your sister:

  6. You are meeting a friend for a walk tomorrow, but you have not agreed a time. You say:

See also