Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 28 · A2

will/shall 2

Use I'll when you offer or decide to do something at the moment of speaking, and Shall I ... ? or Shall we ... ? to ask whether something is a good idea.

Start the lesson

12Steps · about 19 minutes

In this lesson

I'll ... for offers and decisions made nowA3 screens of questions
Not I'll for things you decided beforeB2 screens of questions
Shall I ... ? Shall we ... ?C2 screens of questions

Point A of 3

I'll ... for offers and decisions made now

A woman is struggling up the steps with a pushchair. A man says: I'll help you. He had no plan. He made up his mind on the spot.

I'll ... (I will) is how you offer something, or announce a decision made just now.

I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ... are common ways to voice that kind of decision.

The present simple (I go, I ring etc.) is wrong here.

  • "This suitcase weighs a ton." "I'll take it for you."
  • "I'll text you later, OK?" "Fine. See you."
  • I'm shattered. I think I'll have an early night.
  • It's a lovely evening. I think I'll walk home.
  • It's pouring down. I don't think I'll go to the gym.
  • I'll text you later. (not 'I text you later')
  • I think I'll walk home. (not 'I think I walk home')

Point A · Exercise 28.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use I'll (I will) + one of these verbs.

Use these

getlendmakeopenpayringtake

  1. Example

    "I can't reach the top shelf." "I'll get it for you."

    Answer"I can't reach the top shelf." "I'll get it for you."

  2. "I've left my purse at home." "Don't worry. for the coffees."

  3. "It's very warm in here." " a window."

  4. "I need a pen for this form." "Here, you mine."

  5. "Did you ring the garage about the car?" "Oh no, I forgot. them now."

Point A · Exercise 28.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use I'll (I will) + one of these verbs.

Use these

getlendmakeopenpayringtake

  1. "Is there anything to eat?" "Sit down. you a sandwich."

  2. "I've missed the last bus." "Get in the car. you home."

Point A · Exercise 28.2

Complete the sentences. Use I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ... + one of these verbs.

Use these

cyclegethavewatch

  1. Example

    It's raining hard today. I don't think I'll cycle to work.

    AnswerIt's raining hard today. I don't think I'll cycle to work.

  2. I'm really thirsty. a glass of water.

  3. This film is so boring. the end of it.

  4. These trainers are far too expensive. them.

Point B of 3

Not I'll for things you decided before

Do not use I'll for something you decided before now. Use the present continuous or going to (Units 25 and 26).

  • I'm working on Saturday. (not 'I'll work')
  • There's a documentary about volcanoes tonight. I'm going to watch it. (not 'I'll watch')
  • What are you doing on Sunday? (not 'What will you do')

Point B · Exercise 28.3 · part 1 of 2

Which is right? Write the correct form.

  1. Example

    I'll ring (I ring / I'll ring) you later, OK?

    AnswerI'll ring you later, OK?

  2. I haven't cleaned the bathroom yet. (I do / I'll do) it this afternoon.

  3. I love the radio. (I listen / I'll listen) to it every morning in the car.

  4. I can't keep my eyes open. I think (I go / I'll go) to bed.

  5. Nadia (is going to start / will start) a new job in March. She told me last night.

Point B · Exercise 28.3 · part 2 of 2

Which is right? Write the correct form.

  1. "This parcel is for Mr Webb next door." "OK. (I take / I'll take / I'm going to take) it round to him."

  2. A: (Are you doing / Will you do) anything on Saturday? B: Yes, (I'm going / I'll go) to a wedding in Chester.

Point C of 3

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

The phone rings. Gwen looks up and says: Shall I get it? Her husband says: No, it's fine. I'll get it.

Shall I ... ? and Shall we ... ? ask for the other person's view: would this be helpful, or a sensible thing to do?

  • It's stuffy in here. Shall I open the door?
  • "Shall I pick you up at seven?" "Yes, please."
  • I've got an interview tomorrow. What shall I wear?
  • The sun's out. Shall we go to the beach?
  • Where shall we eat tonight?
  • "Let's go into town on Saturday." "OK. What time shall we meet?"

Point C · Exercise 28.4

Write sentences with Shall I ... ? Choose one verb from box A and one phrase from box B. Box A: close, make, put on, ring. Box B: a cup of tea, a taxi, the curtains, the heating.

  1. Example

    It's freezing in this room.

    Shall I put the heating on?

    AnswerIt's freezing in this room. Shall I put the heating on?

  2. You look worn out after your journey.

  3. We've missed the last train.

  4. The sun is shining right in my eyes.

Point C · Exercise 28.5

Write sentences with Shall we ... ? Choose one word from box A and one verb from box B. Box A: what, what time, where, who. Box B: ask, cook, get, leave.

  1. Example

    "Let's drive to the coast on Sunday." OK, ...

    OK, what time shall we leave?

    Answer"Let's drive to the coast on Sunday." "OK, what time shall we leave?"

  2. "Let's have some friends round for dinner." OK, ...

  3. "Let's make something special for tea." OK, ...

  4. "Let's buy Mum some flowers." OK, ...

Lesson 28 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: mightBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. I'll ... for offers and decisions made now–Not checkedB. Not I'll for things you decided before–Not checkedC. Shall I ... ? Shall we ... ?–Not checked