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.
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')
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)
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 ---
21.1
2 I'll turn/I'll switch/I'll put
3 I'll go
4 I'll do
5 I'll show/I'll teach
6 I'll have
7 I'll send
8 I'll give/I'll bring
9 I'll stay/I'll wait
21.3
3 I'll meet
4 I'll lend
5 I'm having
6 I won't forget
7 does your train leave
8 won't tell
9 Are you doing
10 Will you come
11 1 won't tell
21.4
2 Shall I buy it?
3 What shall I give/buy/get Ann (for her birthday)?
4 Where shall we go?
5 Shall we go by car or (shall we) walk?/... or (shall we go) on foot?
6 What time shall I phone (you)?
