UNIT 22. Will/shall (2)

A. We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do in the future:

* Ann is working next week. (not 'Ann will work')

* Are you going to watch television this evening? (not 'will you watch')

For 'I'm 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:

CHRIS: Do you think Ann 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 thinks will happen. He is predicting the future.

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

* Jill has been away a long time. When she returns, she'll find a lot of changes.

* 'Where will you be this time next year)' 'I'll be in Japan.'

* That plate is very hot. If you touch it, you'll burn yourself.

* Tom won't pass the examination. He hasn't worked hard enough for it.

* When will you know your exam results?

B. We often use will ('ll) with:

probably: I'll probably be home late this evening.

I expect: I haven't seen Carol today. I expect she'll phone this evening.

(I'm) sure: Don't worry about the exam. I'm sure you'll pass.

(I) think: Do you think Sarah will like the present we bought her?

(I) don't think: I don't think the exam will be very difficult.

I wonder: I wonder what will happen.

After (I) hope, we generally use the present:

* I hope Carol phones this evening.

* I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

C. 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. (= I know she'll be busy now)

D. 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 tired this evening. (or I will be...)

* We shall probably go to Scotland for our holiday. (or We will probably go...)

In spoken English we normally use I'll and we'll:

* We'll probably go to Scotland.

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')

EXERCISES