Will & Shall

Express future actions, promises, offers, and make suggestions

What are Will and Shall?

"Will" is the most common way to express future actions, predictions, promises, and spontaneous decisions. "Shall" is formal and mainly used in British English for offers and suggestions.

Compare: "I will help you" (promise) vs. "Shall I help you?" (offer) vs. "Shall we go?" (suggestion).

When to Use WILL

1. Future Predictions (What We Think Will Happen)

It will rain tomorrow. (prediction)
She will be happy to see you.
The meeting will start at 3 PM.
This will be difficult.
They will probably arrive late.
Everything will be fine.

2. Spontaneous Decisions (Decided at the Moment of Speaking)

I'm hungry. I'll make a sandwich. (just decided now)
The phone is ringing. I'll answer it.
It's cold. I'll close the window.
I forgot my wallet. I'll go get it.
You look tired. I'll make you some tea.

3. Promises and Offers

I'll call you tomorrow. (promise)
I'll help you with your homework. (offer)
Don't worry, I'll be there on time.
We'll pay you back next week.
I'll never do it again, I promise!

4. Requests (Will You...?)

Will you help me? (request)
Will you pass the salt?
Will you close the door, please?
Will you marry me?

5. Willingness or Refusal

I'll do it! (willingness)
She won't listen to me. (refusal)
The car won't start. (refuses to work)
He will eat anything! (willingness/habit)

6. Future Facts

I will be 30 next year.
The sun will rise at 6 AM tomorrow.
Christmas will be on a Monday this year.
School will start in September.

When to Use SHALL

1. Offers (Shall I...?)

Shall I help you? (offer to help)
Shall I open the window?
Shall I make some coffee?
Shall I call a taxi?

2. Suggestions (Shall we...?)

Shall we go? (suggestion)
Shall we have dinner together?
Shall we meet at 7 PM?
What shall we do today?
Where shall we eat?

3. Formal Future (Mainly British, Formal)

I shall return. (very formal)
We shall overcome.
I shall be there at 3 PM.

Formation

WILL - Positive: Subject + will ('ll) + base verb

I will go / I'll go.
You will see / You'll see.
She will call / She'll call.
We 'll help you.
They 'll arrive soon.

WILL - Negative: Subject + will not (won't) + base verb

I won't go.
She won't help us.
It won't work.
They won't come.

WILL - Question: Will + subject + base verb?

Will you come?
Will she help us?
What will you do?
When will they arrive?

SHALL - Questions (Offers/Suggestions):

Shall I help you?
Shall we go now?
What shall we do?
Where shall we meet?

Common Mistakes

❌ I will to go. → ✅ I will go. (no "to" after will)
❌ She wills come. → ✅ She will come. (no -s on modals)
❌ I will went. → ✅ I will go. (base form after will)
❌ Tomorrow I am go. → ✅ Tomorrow I will go. (use will for future)
❌ Will you to help? → ✅ Will you help?
❌ I don't will go. → ✅ I won't go.
❌ Shall they come? → ✅ Will they come? (use "will" with they/he/she)
❌ I will can help. → ✅ I will be able to help. (can't use two modals)

Practice Tips

📝 Contractions: Use 'll for positive (I'll, we'll, she'll) and won't for negative. Very common in spoken English.
🎯 Shall = I/We only: "Shall" is mainly used with "I" and "we" for offers/suggestions. "Shall I...?" "Shall we...?"
🌍 American vs. British: Americans rarely use "shall." They say "Should I...?" or "Do you want me to...?" instead of "Shall I...?"
💬 Spontaneous vs. Planned: "I'll go" = decided now. "I'm going" = already planned. "The meeting is at 3" (scheduled) vs. "The meeting will be difficult" (prediction).
⏱️ Future time markers: Tomorrow, next week, in 2025, later, soon - use "will" with these.