Unit 23. will/ shall (1)

Bill is 24 years old now.
Last year he was 23.
Next year he will be 25.

will + infinitive (will be / will win / will come etc.):

positive and negative

I/ we/ you/ they
he/ she/ it

will ('ll)
will not (won't)

be
win
come
eat

question

will

I/ we/ you/ they
he/ she/ it

be?
win?
come?
eat?

We use will for the future (tomorrow / next week etc.):
- She travels a lot. Today she is in London. Tomorrow she'll be in Rome. Next week she'll be in Tokyo.
- Telephone 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.
- Will you be at home 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 Diana will pass the exam.
- I don't think it will rain this afternoon.
- Do you think the examination will be difficult?

But do not use will for things you have already arranged to do or decided to do (see Unit 21 What are you doing tomorrow? (Present for the future)):
- We're going to the theatre on Saturday. (not we will go)
- Are you working tomorrow? (not will you work)

shall
You can say I shall (= I will) and we shall (= we will):

- I shall be late tommorrow.
- I think we shall win.

I will (I'll) be late tomorrow.
I think we will (we'll) win.

But don't use shall with you/ they/ he/ she/ it. (not he shall be late)
See Unit 24 will/ shall (2)

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