Will/shall (1)

A. We use I'll (= I will) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking:
 

     * Oh, I've left the door open. I'll go and shut it.

     * 'What would you like to drink?' 'I'll have an orange juice, please.'

  

     * 'Did you phone Ruth?' 'Oh no, I forgot. I'll phone her now.'

        You cannot use the present simple (I do/I go etc.) in these sentences:

    * I'll go and shut the door. (not 'I go and shut')

       We often use I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ...:

    * I feel a bit hungry. I think I'll have something to cat.

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

       In spoken English the negative of will is usually won't (= will not):

 

    * I can see you're busy, so I won't stay long.

B. Do not use will to talk about what you have already decided or arranged to do:

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

    * Are you working tomorrow? (not 'will you work')

C. We often use will 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: You know that book I lent you. Can I have it back if you've finished with it?

      B: Of course. I'll give it to you this afternoon. (not 'I give')

          Promising to do something

    * Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday. (not 'I pay')

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

      Asking somebody to do something (Will you ...?)

    * Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.

    * Will you shut the door, please?

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

    * I've tried to advise her but she won't listen. (= she refuses to listen)

    * The car won't start. I wonder what's wrong with it. (= the car 'refuses' to start)

D. Shall I ...? Shall we ...?

    Shall is used mostly in the questions shall I ...?/shall we ...?

    We use shall I ...?/shall we ...? to ask somebody's opinion (especially in offers or

    suggestions):

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

    * 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 go this evening?

      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)

EXERCISES

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

      1. I'm too tired to walk home. I think I'll get a taxi.

      2. 'It's a bit cold in this room.' 'Is It? --- on the heating then.'

      3. 'We haven't got any milk.' 'Oh, haven't we? --- and get some.'

      4. 'Do you want me to do the washing-up?' 'No, it's all right. --- it.'

 

      5. 'I don't know how to use this computer.' 'OK, --- you.'

      6. 'Would you like tea or coffee? '--- coffee, please.'

     7. 'Goodbye! Have a nice holiday.' 'Thanks. --- you a postcard.'

     8. Thank you for lending me your camera. --- it back to you on Monday, OK?

    9. 'Are you coming with us?' 'No, I think --- here.'

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. You decide to close the window. You say: I think I'll close the window.

     2. You are feeling tired and it's quite late. You decide to go to bed. You say: I think ---

     3. A friend of yours offers you a lift in his car but you decide to walk. You say: Thank you but

     4. You arranged to play tennis today. Now you decide that you don't want to play. You say:

          I don't think ---

     5. You were going to go swimming. Now you decide that you don't want to go. ---

 

21.3 Which is correct?

      1. 'Did you phone Ruth?' 'Oh no, I forgot. _I phone (X)/I'll phone (O)_ her now.' (I'll phone is

           correct)

      2. I can't meet you tomorrow afternoon. _I'm playing (O)/I'll play (X)_ tennis. (I'm playing is

          correct)

      3. _'I meet/I'll meet_ you outside the hotel in half an hour, OK?' 'Yes, that's fine.'

     

      4. 'I need some money.' 'OK, _I'm lending/I'll lend_ you some. How much do you need?'

      5. _I'm having/I'll have_ a party next Saturday. I hope you can come.

     6. 'Remember to buy a newspaper when you go out.' 'OK. _I don't forget/I won't forget.'_

     7. What time _does your train leave/will your train leave_ tomorrow?

     8. I asked Sue what happened but she _doesn't tell/won't tell_ me.

     9. _'Are you doing/Will you do_ anything tomorrow evening?' 'No, I'm free. Why?'

  10. I don't want to go out alone. _Do you come/Will you come_ with me?

  11. It's a secret between us. I promise _I don't tell/I won't tell_ anybody.

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 ask

           your friend. What shall we do this evening?

      2. You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not. You ask a friend

           for advice. --- it?

      3. It's Ann's birthday next week. You want to give her a present but you don't know what.

          You ask a friend for advice. What ---

      4. You and a friend are going on holiday together but you haven't decided where. You ask

           him/her. ---

      5. You and a friend are going out. You haven't decided whether to go by car or to walk. You

           ask him/her ---

      6. Your friend wants you to phone later. You don't know what time to phone. You ask

           him/her ---