Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 21 · B1

will and shall 1

Use I'll to announce a decision made at the moment of speaking, and to offer, agree or promise. Use shall I ...? and shall we ...? to offer or to ask for a suggestion.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

I'll: a decision made nowA3 screens of questions
Offering, agreeing, promising, refusingB1 screen of questions
Not for things already arrangedC1 screen of questions
shall I ...? and shall we ...?D2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

I'll: a decision made now

I'll (I will) announces a decision at the moment you make it. Saying I'll do it is the deciding.

The present simple (I do, I go) is wrong in these sentences.

I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ... come up constantly.

In speech, will not nearly always becomes won't.

  • Oh, the bins haven't gone out. I'll take them now.
  • "What can I get you?" "I'll have a lemonade, please."
  • "Did you book the table?" "Oh no, I completely forgot. I'll ring them now." (not I ring them now)
  • I'm a bit peckish. I think I'll make some toast.
  • I don't think I'll go to the match. It's freezing.
  • You look busy, so I won't keep you. (I will not keep you)

Point A · Exercise 21.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with I'll + a suitable verb.

  1. Example

    "How are you getting to the airport?" "I think I'll get the train."

    Answer"How are you getting to the airport?" "I think I'll get the train."

  2. "It's really dark in here." "Is it? the lamp on, then."

  3. "Can you make the meeting on the twelfth?" "Hang on. my calendar."

  4. "Shall I hoover the stairs?" "No, leave them. it tomorrow."

  5. "I can't work out how to change the ringtone." "Give it here. you."

Point A · Exercise 21.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with I'll + a suitable verb.

  1. "Would you like a scone or a teacake?" " a scone, please."

  2. "Are you coming into town with us?" "No, I think at home."

  3. "Can you get the invoices done by Friday?" "Well, , but I can't promise anything."

Point A · Exercise 21.2

Read the situations and write sentences with I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ....

  1. Example

    The radio is very loud and you decide to turn it down. You say: The radio is far too loud. I think I'll turn it down.

    AnswerThe radio is far too loud. I think I'll turn it down.

  2. You have a headache and you decide to lie down for a while. You say: My head is pounding, so for a bit.

  3. The sun is out and you decide to cycle to work. You say: It's a beautiful morning. . Does anyone want a lift? No? Fair enough.

  4. You were going to have a dessert. Now you decide you have eaten enough. You say: I'm absolutely full. a dessert.

  5. You meant to go to the gym tonight, but you change your mind. You say: I'm shattered, so to the gym tonight.

Point B of 4

Offering, agreeing, promising, refusing

I'll is the usual way to offer, agree or promise.

won't describes a refusal. Machines refuse too, and frequently do.

Will you (do something)? is a request.

  • Those boxes look heavy. I'll carry one for you. (offering; not I carry)
  • "Could you post this letter on your way?" "Of course. I'll drop it in the box by the chemist's." (agreeing)
  • Thanks for covering my shift. I'll do yours next week. (promising)
  • I won't say a word to anybody. I promise.
  • I've asked him to see a doctor, but he won't go.
  • The printer won't print. (the printer refuses to print)
  • Will you please stop tapping your pen? It's driving me up the wall.

Point B · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with I'll, won't or will you.

  1. That bag looks heavy. carry it for you.

  2. I've told him to see a doctor, but he go.

  3. post this letter for me on your way?

Point C of 4

Not for things already arranged

Do not use will for something you decided or arranged before. Use the present continuous (see Unit 19).

  • I'm going to Malta next week. (not I'll go)
  • I'm seeing the bank manager on Tuesday. (decided before)
  • "I'll see you outside the library at two, then?" "Perfect. See you there." (decided now)

Point C · Extra practice

Put the verb in brackets into the present continuous (already arranged) or will (decided now).

  1. I the dentist on Tuesday. It's booked. (see)

  2. "The phone's ringing." "OK, I it." (get)

  3. We to Malta next week. We've got the tickets. (go)

Point D of 4

shall I ...? and shall we ...?

Today we use shall mostly in the questions shall I ...? and shall we ...?. Use them to ask whether it is all right to do something, or to ask for a suggestion.

Compare: Shall I turn the heating up? (do you want me to?) and Will you turn the heating up? (I want you to).

  • Shall I put the kettle on? (do you want me to?)
  • I've missed the last train. What shall I do? (what would you suggest?)
  • "Shall we head off?" "Give me two minutes. I can't find my scarf."
  • "Where shall we go for tea?" "Let's try the new Thai place."

Point D · Exercise 21.4 · part 1 of 2

What do you say in these situations? Write questions with shall I ...? or shall we ...?.

  1. Example

    You and your partner want to do something on Saturday, but you have no idea what. You say:

    What shall we do on Saturday?

    AnswerWhat shall we do on Saturday? Shall we go to the coast?

  2. You and a friend are planning a weekend away, but you have not decided where. You ask your friend:

  3. You are trying on a pair of boots in a shop. You cannot decide whether to buy them. You ask a friend for advice:

  4. You and a friend are leaving a party late. You can't decide between the night bus and a taxi. You ask your friend:

  5. Your dad is retiring next month. You want to give him something, but you cannot think what. You ask your sister:

Point D · Exercise 21.4 · part 2 of 2

What do you say in these situations? Write questions with shall I ...? or shall we ...?.

  1. You are meeting a friend for a walk tomorrow, but you have not agreed a time. You say:

Put it together · Exercise 21.3 · part 1 of 3

Which is correct? Choose the right form.

  1. Example

    "Have you fed the cat?" "Oh no, I forgot. I'll feed her now." (I feed / I'll feed)

    Answer"Have you fed the cat?" "Oh no, I forgot. I'll feed her now."

  2. Example

    I can't come to the cinema on Thursday. I'm visiting my grandparents. (I'm visiting / I'll visit)

    AnswerI can't come to the cinema on Thursday. I'm visiting my grandparents.

  3. " you by the clock tower at twelve, all right?" "Yes, that's fine." (I meet / I'll meet)

  4. "Oh, stay for another drink." "Go on, then. for one more, but then I really must go." (I'm staying / I'll stay)

  5. a housewarming on the twentieth. I hope you can make it. (I'm having / I'll have)

  6. "Don't forget to water the tomatoes while I'm away." "Don't worry. ." (I don't forget / I won't forget)

Put it together · Exercise 21.3 · part 2 of 3

Which is correct? Choose the right form.

  1. "Are you doing anything nice at half-term?" "Yes, to Center Parcs." (we're going / we'll go)

  2. " anything on Sunday afternoon?" "No, I'm free. Why?" (Are you doing / Will you do)

  3. " me a favour?" "Depends what it is." (Do you do / Will you do)

  4. " to the gym before work?" "Not usually. I go at lunchtime." (Do you go / Will you go)

Put it together · Exercise 21.3 · part 3 of 3

Which is correct? Choose the right form.

  1. I've asked Zoe three times where she was last night, but she me. (doesn't tell / won't tell)

  2. I'm not sure I'll pass my driving test on Monday, but my best. (I'm doing / I'll do)

Lesson 21 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: will and shall 2Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. I'll: a decision made now–Not checkedB. Offering, agreeing, promising, refusing–Not checkedC. Not for things already arranged–Not checkedD. shall I ...? and shall we ...?–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked