Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 22 · B1

will and shall 2

Will is for what we know, believe or predict about the future, not for arrangements already made. Shall goes only with I and we, and spoken English mostly prefers I'll and we'll.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 33 minutes

In this lesson

Predictions, not arrangementsA1 screen of questions
probably, I'm sure, I think, I wonder; and I hopeB7 screens of questions
will about nowC1 screen of questions
shallD1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Predictions, not arrangements

We do not use will for something somebody has already arranged or decided. See Units 19 and 20.

We use will for what we know or believe about the future. Nadia has her driving test on Friday, and Tom is asked whether she will pass. "Yes," he says, "she'll pass easily." He is predicting. When we predict a future happening or situation, we use will and won't.

Compare: "I think Callum is going to the quiz" means he has already decided. "I think Callum will go to the quiz" means I think he will decide to.

  • Nadia is working on Saturday. (not Nadia will work)
  • Are you going to watch the match tonight? (not will you watch)
  • They've been abroad for a year. When they get back, they'll find a lot has changed.
  • "What will you be doing a year from now?" "I'll be in Canada, if my visa comes through."
  • Mind that iron. It's still hot, and you'll burn your fingers.
  • Ruby looks completely different now. You won't recognise her.
  • When will you get your results?

Point A · Extra practice

Put the verb in brackets into will/won't (a prediction) or the present continuous (an arrangement).

  1. Don't worry about the exam. You fine. (be)

  2. Nadia on Saturday. She's on the rota. (work)

  3. Careful, that pan's hot. You yourself. (burn)

Point B of 4

probably, I'm sure, I think, I wonder; and I hope

Will ('ll) often comes with probably, I'm sure, I think, I don't think, I wonder.

After I hope, we generally use the present, even though the meaning is future.

  • I'll probably be back late tonight.
  • Don't fret about the interview. I'm sure you'll be fine.
  • Do you think Grandma will like the scarf we got her?
  • I don't think the test will be very hard.
  • I wonder who'll turn up.
  • I hope Nadia passes her driving test.
  • I hope it doesn't snow on the day of the wedding.

Point B · Exercise 22.1 · part 1 of 2

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

  1. Example

    Can you hang on a minute? I won't be long.

    AnswerCan you hang on a minute? I won't be long.

  2. Don't bother asking Gav to fix it. He know how.

  3. I'm glad I'm seeing Tilly on Sunday. It be lovely to catch up.

  4. I'm sorry about what I said at the party. It happen again.

  5. You won't need a brolly. I don't think it rain.

Point B · Exercise 22.1 · part 2 of 2

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

  1. I've got some astonishing news. You believe it.

Point B · Exercise 22.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with will ('ll) and one of the pairs in the box.

Use these

it / beshe / comeyou / getyou / likeyou / enjoypeople / liveit / lookwe / meetyou / passshe / mind

  1. Example

    Don't panic about your driving test. I'm sure you'll pass.

    AnswerDon't panic about your driving test. I'm sure you'll pass.

  2. Why don't you try on this coat? I think smart on you.

  3. You must meet my mate Jamie some time. I think him.

  4. It's a lovely little cottage. I'm sure your stay there.

  5. It's chucking it down. Don't go out, or soaked.

Point B · Exercise 22.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with will ('ll) and one of the pairs in the box.

Use these

it / beshe / comeyou / getyou / likeyou / enjoypeople / liveit / lookwe / meetyou / passshe / mind

  1. Do you think longer in fifty years' time?

  2. Bye, then. I'm sure again before long.

  3. I've invited Beth to the barbecue, but I don't think .

  4. You can borrow Mum's umbrella. I don't think .

Point B · Exercise 22.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with will ('ll) and one of the pairs in the box.

Use these

it / beshe / comeyou / getyou / likeyou / enjoypeople / liveit / lookwe / meetyou / passshe / mind

  1. The drive to work takes forty minutes at the moment. When the bypass opens, much quicker.

Point B · Exercise 22.3 · part 1 of 2

Write questions with do you think ... will ... ? and one of these verbs: be back, cost, end, get married, happen, like, rain.

  1. Example

    I've bought these earrings for Kim. (like)

    Do you think she'll like them?

    AnswerDo you think she'll like them?

  2. The sky looks very grey. (rain)

  3. The film is still going on. When ... ? (end)

  4. The boiler needs replacing. How much ... ? (cost)

  5. Ayesha and Ben are very much in love. (get married)

Point B · Exercise 22.3 · part 2 of 2

Write questions with do you think ... will ... ? and one of these verbs: be back, cost, end, get married, happen, like, rain.

  1. "I'm off out now." "All right. What time ... ?" (be back)

  2. Nobody knows how the election will turn out. What ... ? (happen)

Point C of 4

will about now

Will usually looks ahead, but it can also express a belief about the present.

  • Don't ring Kayla now. She'll be at work. (= I'm fairly sure she is at work now)
  • That'll be the postman. (= I believe that is the postman at the door)

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with will be or that'll be. Each one is a belief about now.

  1. Don't ring Kayla now. She at work.

  2. The doorbell's ringing. the postman.

  3. Ask Dad. He in the garden at this time of day.

Point D of 4

shall

shall normally goes only with I and we. So: I shall or I will (I'll); we shall or we will (we'll). In conversation, I'll and we'll are what you will usually hear.

The negative is shall not (or shan't, though many writers prefer shall not in full).

With he, she, it, you or they, shall is not normally used.

  • I shall be late home this evening. (or I will be)
  • We shall probably go to Wales in August. (or We will probably go)
  • We'll probably go to Wales.
  • I shall not be here on Monday. (or I won't be)
  • She will be furious. (not She shall be)

Point D · Exercise 22.4

Where do you think you will be at these times? Write about yourself with I'll be ..., I'll probably be ... or I don't know where ...

  1. Example

    (next Monday evening at 7.45)

    I'll probably be at home.

    Example answerI'll probably be at home.

  2. (at 3 am tomorrow)

  3. (at 10.30 tomorrow morning)

  4. (next Friday afternoon at 4.15)

  5. (this time next year)

Put it together · Exercise 22.5 · part 1 of 2

Which is better? Write the correct form.

  1. Example

    Kat can't come on Saturday. She's working (She'll work / She's working).

    AnswerKat can't come on Saturday. She's working.

  2. It was an incredible day. (I never forget / I'll never forget) it.

  3. You won't believe what my brother did. (You're laughing / You'll laugh) when you hear.

  4. (I'll go / I'm going) to a gig on Friday night. Fancy coming?

  5. Which team do you reckon (will win / is winning) the cup this year?

Put it together · Exercise 22.5 · part 2 of 2

Which is better? Write the correct form.

  1. I can't see you tonight. A friend from uni (will come / is coming) to stay.

  2. It's only a little dog. (It won't bite / It isn't biting) you.

  3. (What's happening / What will happen) if I press this red button?

  4. A: Have you decided where to go this summer? B: Yes, (we'll go / we're going) to Scotland.

Lesson 22 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I will and I'm going toBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Predictions, not arrangements–Not checkedB. probably, I'm sure, I think, I wonder; and I hope–Not checkedC. will about now–Not checkedD. shall–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked