21. WILL/SHALL 1 ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

21. WILL/SHALL 1

A	We use I’ll (= I will) when we've just decided to do something. When we say I’ll do something', we announce our decision: ·         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 Lucy?' '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 eat. ·         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 decided before (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: Can you give Tim this book? ·         B: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon. Promising to do something ·         Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday. ·         I won't tell anyone what happened. I promise. Asking somebody to do something (Will you ... ?) ·         Will you please turn the music down? I'm trying to concentrate. You can use won't to say that somebody refuses to do something: ·         I've tried to give her advice, but she won't listen. ·         The car won't start. (=the car 'refuses' to start)
D	Shall I ... ? Shall we ... ? Shall is used mostly in the questions shall I ... ? 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 have lunch?' 'Let's go to Marino's.' 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)

EXERCISES

21.1	Complete the sentences with I’ll+ a suitable verb. 1 I'm too tired to walk home. I think _____ I’ll take _____a taxi. 2 'It’s cold in this room.' 'Is it? _________________ on the heating then.' 3 'Bye! Have a nice holiday!' 'Thanks. __________________ you a postcard.' 4 'Shall I do the washing-up?' 'No, it's all right. __________ it later.' 5 'I don't know how to shut down this computer.' 'OK, ________________ you.' 6 'Would you like tea or coffee?' '___________ coffee, please.' 7 'Are you coming with us?' 'No, I think _____________ here.' 8 Thanks for lending me the money. _____________________ it back as soon as possible, OK? 9 A: I know you're busy, but can you finish this report this afternoon? B: Well, ________________ , but I can't promise.
21.2	Read the situations and write sentences with I think I'll ... or I don't think I'll ... . 1 It's a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it. You say ____ I think I’ll close the window. _______________ 2 You are feeling tired and it's getting late. You decide to go to bed. You say: I think ___________________________________________ 3 A friend of yours offers you a lift in his car, but you decide to walk. You say: Thank you, but ____________________________________ 4 You were going to have lunch. Now you decide that you don't want to eat anything. You say: I don't think _______________________________ 5 You planned to go swimming. Now you decide that you don't want to go. You say: _____________________________________________________
21.3	Which is correct? (If necessary, study Units 19-20 first.) 1 'Did you phone Lucy?' 'Oh no, I forgot. I phone /I'll phone her now.' (I'll phone is correct) 2 I can't meet you tomorrow. I'm playing /I'll play tennis. (I'm playing is correct) 3 'I meet /I'll meet you outside the hotel in half an hour, OK?' 'Yes, that's fine.' 4 'I need some money.' 'OK, I'm lending /I’ll lend you some. How much do you need?' 5 I'm having /I'll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come. 6 'Remember to get a newspaper when you go out.' 'OK, I don't forget /I won't forget.' 7 What time does your train leave /will your train leave tomorrow? 8 I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn't tell /won't tell me. 9 'Are you doing /Will you do anything tomorrow evening?' 'No, I'm free. Why?' 10 I don't want to go out alone. Do you come /Will you come with me?
21.4	What do you say in these situations? Write sentences with shall I ... ? or shall we ... ? 1 You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don't know what. You ask your friend: _____ What shall we do this evening? ______ 2 You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not. You ask a friend for advice: _______________________ it? 3 It's Helen's birthday next week. You want to give her a present, but you don't know what. You ask a friend for advice: What _________________________________ 4 You and a friend are going on holiday together, but you have to decide where. You ask him/her: ____________________________________ 5 You and a friend are going out. You have to decide whether to go by car or to walk. You ask him/her: _____________________________ 6 Your friend wants you to come and see her. You don't know what t ime to come. You ask her: ______________________________________________

ANSWER KEY

21.1 2 I'll turn I I'll switch I I'll put 3 I'll send 4 I'll do 5 I'll show 6 I'll have 7 I'll stay I I'll wait 8 I'll pay I I'll give 9 I'll try 21.2 2 I'll go to bed. 3 I think I'll walk. 4 I'll eat anything. 5 I don't think I'll go swimming. 21.3 3 I'll meet 4 I’ll lend 5 I'm having 6 I won't forget 7 does your train leave 8 won't tell 9 Are you doing 10 Will you come 21.4 2 Shall I buy it? 3 What shall I give/buy/get Helen (for her birthday)? 4 Where shall we go (on holiday)? 5 Shall we go by car or (shall we) walk? I ... or (shall we go) on foot? 6 What time shall I come?