A. We use I'll (= I will) when
we decide to do something at the time of speaking:
* 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 Ruth?' '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 cat.
* 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.
B. Do not use will to talk
about what you have already decided or arranged to do (see Units 19-20):
* I'm going on holiday next
Saturday. (not 'I'll go')
* Are you working tomorrow? (not
'will you work')
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: You know that book I lent
you. Can I have it back if you've finished with it?
B: Of course. I'll give it to
you this afternoon. (not 'I give')
Promising to do something
* Thanks for lending me the
money. I'll pay you back on Friday. (not 'I pay')
* I won't tell anyone what
happened. I promise.
Asking somebody to do something
(Will you ...?)
* Will you please be quiet? I'm
trying to concentrate.
* Will you shut the door,
please?
You can use won't to say that
somebody refuses to do something:
* I've tried to advise her but
she won't listen. (= she refuses to listen)
* The car won't start. I wonder
what's wrong with it. (= the car 'refuses' to start)
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 go this evening?
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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