Rule 1. 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:
Examples:
- 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 go 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)
Rule 2. We often use I’ll in these situations:
Offering to do something
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.
We use 'won’t' (negative form of 'will') 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.
Rule 3. 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 these two sentences:
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)
Rule 4. 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:
1. Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open it?)
2. I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (= What do you suggest?)
3. ‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
4. ‘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)
Now, before moving onto Part 2 of the lesson, let's practice!
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
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A1-A2 Grammar : Will and Shall (Part 1)
Choose the correct word.