021 : 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'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 Lucy?'  ‘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 eat.
• 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 decided before (see Units 19-20):

• 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: Can you give Tim 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.

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

• Will you please turn the music down? I'm trying to concentrate.

You can 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)

 

 

   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 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)

 

 

 

 (American English -> Appendix 7) 

 

21D

BRITISH Shall I ... ? and shall we ... ? are used to ask for advice etc. : Which way shall we go?

AMERICAN Should I ... ? and should we ... ? are more usual to ask for advice etc. : Which way should we go?

 

 

 

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