Unit
21 will and shall 1
A We use I’ll … (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’,
we announce our decision:
Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.
‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’
‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’
We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:
I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)
We often use I think I’ll … / I don’t think I’ll … :
I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat.
I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.
In spoken English will not is usually won’t:
I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long)
B We often use I’ll in these situations:
Offering to do something I’ll help you.
That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it. (not I help)
Agreeing to do something
a: Can you give Tom this book?
b: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday.
I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.
The car won’t start.
We use won’t to say that somebody refuses to do something:
I’ve tried to give her advice, but she won’t listen.
The car won’t start. (= the car ‘refuses’ to start)
Will you (do something)? = please do it:
Will you please turn the music down? It’s too loud.
C We do not use will to talk about what has been decided or arranged before:
I’m going on holiday next Saturday. (not I’ll go)
Compare:
I’m meeting Kate tomorrow morning. (decided before)
a: I’ll meet you at half past ten, OK?
b: Fine. See you then. (decided now)
D We use shall mostly in the questions shall I … ? / shall we … ?
We use shall I … ? / shall we … ? to ask if it’s OK to do something or to ask for a suggestion:
Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open it?)
I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?)
‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
‘Where shall we have lunch?’ ‘Let’s go to Marino’s.’
Compare shall I … ? and will you … ? :
Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)
I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19 will and shall 2 ➜ Unit 22 I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23
42 American English ➜ Appendix 7
Unit
Exercises 21
21.1 Complete the sentences with I’ll + a suitable verb.
1 ‘How are you going to get home?’ ‘I think I’ll take a taxi.’
2 ‘It’s cold in this room.’ ‘Is it? on the heating then.’
3 ‘Are you free next Friday?’ ‘Let me see. my diary.’
4 ‘Shall I do the washing-up?’ ‘No, it’s all right. it later.’
5 ‘I don’t know how to use this phone.’ ‘OK, you.’
6 ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘ coffee, please.’
7 ‘Are you coming with us?’ ‘No, I think here.’
8 ‘Can you finish this report today?’ ‘Well, , but I can’t promise.’
21.2 Read the situations and write sentences with I think I’ll … or I don’t think I’ll … .
1 It’s a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it. You say:
It’s cold with the window open. I think I’ll close it.
2 You are feeling tired and it’s getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say:
I’m tired, so . Goodnight!
3 The weather is nice and you need some exercise. You decide to go for a walk. You say:
It’s a lovely morning. . Do you want to come too?
4 You were going to have lunch. Now you decide you don’t want to eat anything. You say:
I don’t feel hungry any more. lunch.
5 You planned to go swimming today. Now you decide not to go. You say:
I’ve got a lot to do, so today.
21.3 Which is correct?
1 ‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I call / I’ll call him now.’ (I’ll call is correct)
2 I can’t meet you tomorrow morning. I’m playing / I’ll play tennis. (I’m playing is correct)
3 ‘I meet / I’ll meet you outside the hotel at 10.30, OK?’ ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
4 ‘Please don’t go yet.’ ‘OK, I’m staying / I’ll stay a little longer, but I have to go soon.’
5 I’m having / I’ll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come.
6 ‘Remember to lock the door when you go out.’ ‘OK. I don’t forget / I won’t forget.’
7 ‘Do you have any plans for the weekend?’ ‘Yes, we’re going / we’ll go to a wedding.’
8 ‘Are you doing / Will you do anything tomorrow evening?’ ‘No, I’m free. Why?’
9 ‘Do you do / Will you do something for me?’ ‘It depends. What do you want me to do?’
10 ‘Do you go / Will you go to work by car?’ ‘Not usually. I prefer to walk.’
11 I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn’t tell / won’t tell me.
12 I don’t know if I can win the race tomorrow, but I’m doing / I’ll do my best.
21.4 What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I … ? or shall we … ?
1 You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don’t know what.
You say: What shall we do this evening? Do you want to go somewhere?
2 You and a friend are going on holiday together, but you have to decide where.
You ask your friend: ?
3 You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not.
You ask a friend for advice: ? What do you think?
4 You and a friend are going out. You have to decide whether to get a taxi or to walk.
You ask your friend: or ?
5 It’s Helen’s birthday soon. You want to give her a present, but what?
You ask a friend: What ? Any ideas?
6 You’re meeting a friend tomorrow, but you have to decide what time.
You say: ? Is 10.30 OK for you?
➜ Additional exercises 10–13 (pages 308–10) 43
