| 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.
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| 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)
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