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Unit 21 · Future

Will and shall 1

Study

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:

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I'll phone him now. (not I phone him now)

We often use I think I'll … / I don't think I'll … :

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I'm a little hungry. I think I'll have something to eat.

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I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired.

In spoken English will not is usually won't:

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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

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That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it. (not I help)

Agreeing to do something

A: Can you give Tom this book?

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B: Sure, I'll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.

Promising to do something

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Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday.

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I won't tell anyone what happened. I promise.

We use won't to say that somebody refuses to do something:

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I've tried to give her advice, but she won't listen.

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The car won't start. (= the car 'refuses' to start)

Will you (do something)? = please do it:

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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:

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I'm going on holiday next Saturday. (not I'll go)

Compare:

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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:

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Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open it?)

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I've got no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?)

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'Shall we go?' 'Just a minute. I'm not ready yet.'

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'Where shall we have lunch?' 'Let's go to Marino's.'

Compare shall I … ? and will you … ? :

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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 American English ➜ Appendix 7

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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21.1

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

  1. 1
    'How are you going to get home?' 'I think a taxi.'example
  2. 2
    'It's cold in this room.' 'Is it? on the heating then.'
  3. 3
    'Are you free next Friday?' 'Let me see. my diary.'
  4. 4
    'Shall I do the washing-up?' 'No, it's all right. it later.'
  5. 5
    'I don't know how to use this phone.' 'OK, you.'
  6. 6
    'Would you like tea or coffee?' ' coffee, please.'
  7. 7
    'Are you coming with us?' 'No, I think here.'
  8. 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. 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. .example
  2. 2
    You are feeling tired and it's getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say:
    I'm tired, so . Goodnight!
  3. 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. 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. 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. 1
    'Did you call Max?' 'Oh no, I forgot. / him now.'example
  2. 2
    I can't meet you tomorrow morning. / tennis.example
  3. 3
    '/ you outside the hotel at 10.30, OK?' 'Yes, that's fine.'
  4. 4
    'Please don't go yet.' 'OK, / a little longer, but I have to go soon.'
  5. 5
    / a party next Saturday. I hope you can come.
  6. 6
    'Remember to lock the door when you go out.' 'OK. /.'
  7. 7
    'Do you have any plans for the weekend?' 'Yes, / to a wedding.'
  8. 8
    '/ anything tomorrow evening?' 'No, I'm free. Why?'
  9. 9
    '/ something for me?' 'It depends. What do you want me to do?'
  10. 10
    '/ to work by car?' 'Not usually. I prefer to walk.'
  11. 11
    I asked Sue what happened, but she / me.
  12. 12
    I don't know if I can win the race tomorrow, but / my best.
21.4

What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I … ? or shall we … ?

  1. 1
    You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don't know what. You say:
    . Do you want to go somewhere?example
  2. 2
    You and a friend are going on holiday together, but you have to decide where. You ask your friend:
    ?
  3. 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. 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. 5
    It's Helen's birthday soon. You want to give her a present, but what? You ask a friend:
    What Helen (for her birthday)? Any ideas?
  6. 6
    You're meeting a friend tomorrow, but you have to decide what time. You say:
    ? Is 10.30 OK for you?