English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 22: Will/shall 2

We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do:
  • Diane is working next week. (not Diane will work)
  • Are you going to watch anything on TV this evening? (not Will you watch)
    For 'is working' and 'Are you going to ... ?', see Units 19-20.

But often, when we talk about the future, we are not talking about what somebody has decided to do. For example:

Kate is doing an exam next week. Chris and Joe are talking about it.
CHRIS: Do you think Kate will pass the exam?
JOE: Yes, she'll pass easily.

She'll pass does not mean 'she has decided to pass'. Joe is saying what he knows or believes will happen.

He is predicting the future.

When we predict a future happening or situation, we use will/won't.

Some more examples:
  • They've been away a long time. When they return, they'll find a lot of changes here.
  • ‘Where will you be this time next year?’ ‘I'll be in Japan.’
  • That plate is hot. If you touch it, you'll burn yourself.
  • Tom won't pass the exam. He hasn't studied hard enough.
  • Anna looks completely different now. You won't recognise her.
  • When will you get your exam results?

We often use will ('ll) with:

probablyI'll probably be home late tonight.
(I'm) sureDon't worry about the exam. I'm sure you'll pass.
(I) thinkDo you think Sarah will like the present we bought her?
(I) don't thinkI don't think the exam will be very difficult.
I wonderI wonder what will happen.

After I hope, we generally use the present (will is also possible):
  • I hope Kate passes the exam. (or I hope Kate will pass ... )
  • I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

Generally we use will to talk about the future, but sometimes we use will to talk about now. For example:
  • Don't phone Ann now. She'll be busy. (= she'll be busy now)

I shall ... / we shall ...

Normally we use shall only with I and we. You can say:
I shall or I will (I'll)
we shall or we will (we'll)
  • I shall be late this evening. (or I will be)
  • We shall probably go to France in June. (or We will probably go)

In spoken English we normally use I'll and we'll:
  • We'll probably go to France.

The negative of shall is shall not or shan't:
  • I shan't be here tomorrow. (or I won't be)

Do not use shall with he/she/it/you/they:
  • She will be very angry. (not She shall be)

22.1 Which form of the verb is better in these sentences? The verbs are underlined.

  1. Diane isn't free on Saturday. She'll work / She's working.
    • She'll work
    • She's working
  2. I'll go / I'm going to a party tomorrow night. Would you like to come too?
    • I'll go
    • I'm going
  3. I think Amy will get / is getting the job. She has a lot of experience.
    • will get
    • is getting
  4. I can't meet you this evening. A friend of mine will come / is coming to see me.
    • will come
    • is coming
  5. A: Have you decided where to go for your holidays?
    B: Yes, we'll go / we're going to Italy.
    • we'll go
    • we're going
  6. Don't be afraid of the dog. It won't hurt / It isn't hurting you.
    • It won't hurt
    • It isn't hurting

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

  1. Can you wait for me? I be long.
  2. Don't ask Amanda for advice. She __________ know what to do.
  3. I'm glad you're coming to see us next week. It __________ be good to see you again.
  4. I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. It __________ happen again.
  5. You don't need to take an umbrella with you. I don't think it __________ rain.
  6. I've got some incredible news! You __________ believe it.

22.3 Complete the sentences using will ('ll). Choose from the following:

  • it / be
  • she / come
  • you / get
  • you / like
  • people / live
  • it / look
  • we / meet
  • you / pass
  1. Don't worry about your exam. I'm sure .
  2. Why don't you try on this jacket? __________ nice on you.
  3. You must meet Daniel sometime. I think __________ him.
  4. lt's raining. Don't go out. __________ wet.
  5. Do you think __________ longer in the future?
  6. Bye! I'm sure __________ again before long.
  7. I've invited Ann a to the party, but I don't think __________ .
  8. It takes me an hour to get to work at the moment, but when the new road is finished, __________ much quicker.

22.4 Write questions using do you think ... will ... ? + the following:

  • be back
  • cost
  • end
  • get married
  • happen
  • like
  • rain
  1. I've bought this picture for Karen. ?
  2. The weather doesn't look very good. Do you __________ ?
  3. The meeting is still going on. When do you __________ ?
  4. My car needs to be repaired. How much __________ ?
  5. Sally and David are in love. Do __________ ?
  6. ‘I'm going out now.’ ‘OK. What time __________ ?’
  7. The future situation is uncertain. What __________ ?

Answer Key
Favorite Books
English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Read more
Table of Contents