will/shall 1
A
Sarah goes to work every day. She is always there from 8.30 until 4.30.
It is 11 o'clock now. Sarah is at work.
At 11 o'clock yesterday, she was at work.
At 11 o'clock tomorrow, she will be at work.
will + infinitive (will be/will win/will come ect.):
| I/we/you/they he/she/it |
will('ll) will not (won't) |
be win eat come etc. |
| will | I/we/you/they he/she/it |
be? win? eat? come? etc. |
'll = will: I'll (I will) / you'll / she'll etc.
won't = will not: I won't (= I will not) / you won't / she won't etc.
B
We use will for the future (tomorrow/ next week etc.):
- Sue travels a lot. Today she is in Madrid. Tomorrow she'll be in Rome. Next week she'll be in Tokyo.
- You can call me this evening. I'll be at home.
- Leave the old bread in the garden. The birds will eat it.
- We'll probably go out this evening.
- I won't be here tomorrow. (= I will not be here)
- Don't drink coffee before you go to bed. You won't sleep.
We often say I think ... will ... :
- I think Kelly will pass the exam.
- I don't think it will rain this afternoon.
- Do you think the exam will be difficult?
C
We do not use will for things we have already arranged or decided to do (Units 25-26):
- We're going to the cinema on Saturday. Do you want to come with us? (not We will go)
- I'm not working tomorrow. (not I won't work)
- Are you going to do the exam? (not Will you do)
D
shall
You can say I shall (= I will) and we shall (= we will):
- I shall be late tomorrow. or I will (I'll) be late tomorrow.
- I think we shall win. or I think we will (we'll) win.
But do use shall wilt you/they/he/she/it:
- Tom will be late. (not Tom shall be)