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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 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.
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')
We often use will in these situations:
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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?
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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)
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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