Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 27 · A2

will/shall 1

Use will + infinitive to talk about the future, often with I think. Use shall only with I and we, and do not use will for plans you have already made.

Start the lesson

17Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

will + infinitiveA1 screen of questions
will for the futureB7 screens of questions
Not will for plans you have already madeC2 screens of questions
shallD1 screen of questions

Point A of 4

will + infinitive

Kieran works in a bakery. He is there every morning from five until one.

It is ten o'clock now. Kieran is at work. At ten o'clock yesterday, he was at work. At ten o'clock tomorrow, he will be at work, covered in flour, as usual.

The form is will + infinitive (will be, will win, will come etc.):

Subject will Infinitive
I / we / you / they / he / she / it will ('ll) be, win, eat, come etc.
I / we / you / they / he / she / it will not (won't) be, win, eat, come etc.

Questions: Will I / you / she ... be? win? come?

'll = will: I'll, you'll, she'll etc. won't = will not: I won't, he won't etc.

  • Kieran will be at work tomorrow.
  • I'll be there at six.
  • She won't be home until late.
  • Will they win on Saturday?

Point A · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with will or won't and the verb in brackets.

  1. I at home all day tomorrow. (be)

  2. Don't worry, it long. (not / take)

  3. you at the party on Friday? (be)

Point B of 4

will for the future

We use will for the future (tomorrow, next week etc.).

We often say I think ... will ... and I don't think ... will .... Note that we say I don't think it will, not 'I think it won't'.

  • Fiona travels a lot for work. Today she's in Glasgow. Tomorrow she'll be in Aberdeen.
  • Ring me after lunch. I'll be in the office.
  • Put the crisps on the table. The kids will eat them.
  • We'll probably stay in tonight.
  • Will you be at home on Sunday?
  • I won't be at the meeting tomorrow. (= I will not be there)
  • Don't have a big coffee now. You won't sleep.
  • I think Ravi will get the job.
  • I don't think it will snow tonight.
  • Do you think the test will be hard?

Point B · Exercise 27.1 · part 1 of 2

Rhys is touring Britain by train. Last week: Edinburgh. Three days ago: York. Yesterday: Manchester. Now: Birmingham. Tomorrow: Oxford. Next week: Cardiff. Complete the sentences with he was, he's or he'll be.

  1. Example

    Yesterday he was in Manchester.

    AnswerYesterday he was in Manchester.

  2. Tomorrow in Oxford.

  3. Last week in Edinburgh.

  4. Next week in Cardiff.

  5. At the moment in Birmingham.

Point B · Exercise 27.1 · part 2 of 2

Rhys is touring Britain by train. Last week: Edinburgh. Three days ago: York. Yesterday: Manchester. Now: Birmingham. Tomorrow: Oxford. Next week: Cardiff. Complete the sentences with he was, he's or he'll be.

  1. Three days ago in York.

  2. At the end of his tour very tired.

Point B · Exercise 27.2

Where will you be? Write sentences about yourself. Use I'll be ..., I'll probably be ... or I don't know where I'll be.

  1. Example

    (at nine o'clock tomorrow morning)

    I'll probably be on the bus. OR I'll be at college. OR I don't know where I'll be.

    Example answerI'll probably be on the bus.

  2. (two hours from now)

  3. (at eleven o'clock tonight)

  4. (at lunchtime tomorrow)

  5. (five years from now)

Point B · Exercise 27.3 · part 1 of 2

Put in will ('ll) or won't.

  1. Example

    Don't eat that cake now. You won't want your dinner.

    AnswerDon't eat that cake now. You won't want your dinner.

  2. "Is the bathroom free?" "Not yet. I be out in two minutes."

  3. I'm visiting my parents in Hull this weekend, so I be at the party on Saturday.

  4. It be cold today, so you don't need your big coat.

  5. A: My back hurts. B: Have a hot bath. You feel better afterwards.

Point B · Exercise 27.3 · part 2 of 2

Put in will ('ll) or won't.

  1. It's my nan's birthday in May. She be ninety.

  2. I'm sorry I forgot your book again. It happen next time, I promise.

Point B · Exercise 27.4 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences beginning I think ... or I don't think ....

  1. Example

    (Ravi will get the job)

    I think Ravi will get the job.

    AnswerI think Ravi will get the job.

  2. Example

    (Ravi won't get the job)

    I don't think Ravi will get the job.

    AnswerI don't think Ravi will get the job.

  3. (we'll find a parking space)

  4. (I won't be at work on Monday)

  5. (Dad will like the jumper)

  6. (they won't sell their house)

Point B · Exercise 27.4 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences beginning I think ... or I don't think ....

  1. (you won't like the restaurant)

Point C of 4

Not will for plans you have already made

Do not use will for things you have already arranged or decided to do. Use the present continuous or going to instead (Units 25 and 26).

  • We're going to a wedding on Saturday. (not 'We will go')
  • I'm not working on Friday. (not 'I won't work')
  • Are you going to sell your car? (not 'Will you sell')

Point C · Exercise 27.5 · part 1 of 2

Which is right? Look at Unit 25 before you do this exercise.

  1. Example

    We're going to a gig on Friday. Josh has got the tickets. (We'll go / We're going)

    AnswerWe're going to a gig on Friday. Josh has got the tickets.

  2. " on Saturday afternoon?" "Nothing much. Why?" (What will you do / What are you doing)

  3. to Malaga on Tuesday. Their flight is at 6.30. (They'll fly / They're flying)

  4. Ask your uncle for the money. I'm sure you. He's very generous. (he'll help / he's helping)

  5. "Why have you got your trainers on?" " for a run." (I'll go / I'm going)

Point C · Exercise 27.5 · part 2 of 2

Which is right? Look at Unit 25 before you do this exercise.

  1. Do you think Leanne us before the weekend? (will ring / is ringing)

  2. Sam can't come to the cinema on Sunday. his grandmother. (He'll visit / He's visiting)

  3. you be in the office tomorrow morning? (Will / Shall)

Point D of 4

shall

I shall means the same as I will, and we shall the same as we will. Both are correct, though I will and we will are far more common in conversation.

shall is never used with you, they, he, she, it.

  • I shall be away next week. or I will (I'll) be away next week.
  • I hope we shall see you soon. or I hope we will (we'll) see you soon.
  • Ben will be late. (not 'Ben shall be late')

Point D · Extra practice

Put in shall or will. Sometimes both are right.

  1. I open the window? It's warm in here.

  2. we go for a walk after tea?

  3. I be away next week, so I'll see you after that.

Lesson 27 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: will/shall 2Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. will + infinitive–Not checkedB. will for the future–Not checkedC. Not will for plans you have already made–Not checkedD. shall–Not checked