Will and Shall 1 | Unit 21 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 21 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 21 · Leçon de Grammaire

Will and Shall 1
Spontaneous Decisions · Offers · Promises · Shall I/We? Will et Shall 1
Décisions spontanées · Offres · Promesses · Shall I/We ?

Master I'll for decisions made at the moment of speaking, its key uses (offering, agreeing, promising, refusing), and shall I/we for suggestions and offers

Maîtrisez I'll pour les décisions prises au moment de parler, ses usages clés (offres, accords, promesses, refus), et shall I/we pour les suggestions et offres

B1 – B2 4 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 4 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

This unit focuses on will (I'll) as a way to announce a decision made at the moment of speaking — not a pre-arranged plan. It also covers the common uses of I'll (offering, agreeing, promising) and won't for refusal. Finally, it introduces shall I / shall we, used in questions to make offers or ask for suggestions.

Cette unité porte sur will (I'll) pour annoncer une décision prise au moment de parler — pas un plan préarrangé. Elle couvre aussi les usages courants de I'll (offrir, accepter, promettre) et won't pour le refus. Enfin, elle présente shall I / shall we, utilisé dans les questions pour faire des offres ou demander des suggestions.

I'll — Announcing a Decision Made Right Now

I'll — Annoncer une décision prise à l'instant

We use I'll (= I will) when we have just decided to do something. We announce the decision at the moment it is made — it was not planned before.

On utilise I'll (= I will) quand on vient de décider de faire quelque chose. On annonce la décision au moment où elle est prise — elle n'était pas planifiée avant.

I'll + verb = just decided — announcing it now for the first time
I don't think I'll … = just decided not to do something
won't = will not (spoken English)

Oh, I left the door open. I'll go and shut it.

→ Decision made the instant the speaker realises the door is open.

→ Décision prise à l'instant où l'on réalise que la porte est ouverte.

'What would you like to drink?' 'I'll have orange juice, please.'

→ Spontaneous choice made at this moment.

→ Choix spontané fait à ce moment précis.

'Did you call Max?' 'Oh no, I forgot. I'll call him now.'

→ Realises just now → decides just now → will (not present simple).

→ Réalise à l'instant → décide à l'instant → will (pas le présent simple).

I'm a little hungry. I think I'll have something to eat.

→ I think I'll … softens the spontaneous decision slightly.

→ I think I'll … adoucit légèrement la décision spontanée.

I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired.

→ Deciding not to go out — right now, based on feeling tired.

→ Décision de ne pas sortir — à l'instant, parce que fatigué.

I can see you're busy, so I won't stay long.

→ won't = will not. Spontaneous decision based on seeing the situation.

→ won't = will not. Décision spontanée basée sur la situation visible.

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Never use the present simple for a spontaneous decision: N'utilisez jamais le présent simple pour une décision spontanée : Say I'll phone him now — not I phone him now. The present simple describes habits or facts, not on-the-spot decisions. Dites I'll phone him now — pas I phone him now. Le présent simple décrit des habitudes ou des faits, pas des décisions spontanées.

I'll — Offers, Agreements, Promises & Won't for Refusal

I'll — Offres, accords, promesses & won't pour le refus

I'll is used in four key social situations. In each case it is a decision made spontaneously or in response to a situation.

I'll est utilisé dans quatre situations sociales clés. Dans chaque cas, c'est une décision prise spontanément ou en réponse à une situation.

Offering

Offrir

That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it.

I'll get the door for you.

I'll drive you to the station.

Agreeing

Accepter

A: Can you give Tom this book?
B: Sure, I'll give it to him when I see him.

A: Can you wait five minutes?
B: OK, I'll wait.

Promising

Promettre

Thanks for the money. I'll pay you back on Friday.

I won't tell anyone what happened. I promise.

Refusing (won't)

Refuser (won't)

She won't listen to my advice.

The car won't start. (= refuses to start)

Will you turn the music down? (= please do it)

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Won't for refusal: Won't pour le refus : Won't can describe a person or even a thing that refuses to do something: She won't listen / The car won't start (the car 'refuses' to start). Will you …? is a polite but direct request. Won't peut décrire une personne ou même une chose qui refuse de faire quelque chose. Will you … ? est une demande polie mais directe.

Will vs Present Continuous — Don't Confuse Them

Will vs Présent Continu — Ne pas les confondre

Do not use will to talk about what has already been decided or arranged. For pre-arranged plans, use the present continuous (Unit 19).

N'utilisez pas will pour parler de ce qui a déjà été décidé ou organisé. Pour les plans préorganisés, utilisez le présent continu (Unité 19).

Will — spontaneous decision (NOW)

Will — décision spontanée (MAINTENANT)

decided at this very moment

décidé à cet instant précis

A: I'll meet you at half past ten, OK?
B: Fine. See you then.

'Did you call Max?' 'Oh no. I'll call him now.'

I'll have the pasta, please. (ordering food)

Present Continuous — pre-arranged

Présent Continu — préorganisé

decided/booked before now

décidé/réservé avant maintenant

I'm meeting Kate tomorrow morning. (decided before)

I'm going on holiday next Saturday. (booked)

I'm having a party next Saturday. (arranged)

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Simple rule: Règle simple : Ask yourself — did I decide this before now, or am I deciding right now? Decided before → present continuous. Deciding right now → I'll. Demandez-vous — ai-je décidé cela avant maintenant, ou est-ce que je décide à l'instant ? Décidé avant → présent continu. Je décide maintenant → I'll.

Shall I / Shall We — Offers and Suggestions

Shall I / Shall We — Offres et suggestions

We use shall mainly in the questions Shall I …? and Shall we …? — to ask if it is OK to do something, or to ask for a suggestion.

On utilise shall principalement dans les questions Shall I …? et Shall we …? — pour demander si on peut faire quelque chose, ou pour demander une suggestion.

Shall I …? = do you want me to do it? / offering to help
Shall we …? = do you want us to do it? / suggesting a joint action
What shall I/we …? = asking for a suggestion

Shall I open the window?

→ Do you want me to open it? (offering)

→ Voulez-vous que je l'ouvre ? (offrir)

I've got no money. What shall I do?

→ What do you suggest? (asking for advice)

→ Que suggères-tu ? (demander un conseil)

'Shall we go?' 'Just a minute. I'm not ready yet.'

→ Suggesting we leave together (joint action).

→ Suggérer de partir ensemble (action commune).

'Where shall we have lunch?' 'Let's go to Marino's.'

→ Asking for a suggestion about a joint decision.

→ Demander une suggestion sur une décision commune.

Shall I — offering / asking

Shall I — offrir / demander

do you want me to …?

voulez-vous que je …?

Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to?)

Shall I make some coffee?

What shall I wear to the party?

Will you — requesting

Will you — demander à quelqu'un

I want you to do it

je veux que vous le fassiez

Will you shut the door? (= I want you to)

Will you please turn that down?

Will you do something for me?

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Shall I vs Will you: Shall I vs Will you : Shall I shut the door? = I'm offering — do you want me to? Will you shut the door? = I'm asking you to do it — it's a request directed at the other person. Shall I shut the door? = j'offre. Will you shut the door? = je vous demande de le faire — c'est une requête adressée à l'autre personne.

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Complete with I'll + a suitable verb

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec I'll + un verbe approprié

Choose the correct verb and write it with I'll.

Choisissez le bon verbe et écrivez-le avec I'll.

'How are you going to get home?' 'I think a taxi.''Comment vas-tu rentrer chez toi ?' 'Je pense un taxi.'

'It's cold in this room.' 'Is it? the heating then.''Il fait froid dans cette pièce.' 'Vraiment ? le chauffage alors.'

'Are you free next Friday?' 'Let me see. my diary.''Es-tu libre vendredi prochain ?' 'Voyons. mon agenda.'

'Shall I do the washing-up?' 'No, it's all right. it later.''Je fais la vaisselle ?' 'Non, ça va. plus tard.'

'I don't know how to use this phone.' 'OK, you.''Je ne sais pas me servir de ce téléphone.' 'OK, toi.'

'Would you like tea or coffee?' ' coffee, please.''Vous désirez du thé ou du café ?' ' un café, s'il vous plaît.'

'Are you coming with us?' 'No, I think here.''Tu viens avec nous ?' 'Non, je pense ici.'

'Can you finish this report today?' 'Well, , but I can't promise.''Tu peux finir ce rapport aujourd'hui ?' 'Eh bien, , mais je ne peux pas promettre.'

Answers:Réponses : 1. I'll take · 2. I'll turn on / I'll put on · 3. I'll check · 4. I'll do it · 5. I'll show you · 6. I'll have · 7. I'll stay · 8. I'll try

EX 2

Exercise 2 — Write sentences with I think I'll … or I don't think I'll …

Exercice 2 — Écrivez des phrases avec I think I'll … ou I don't think I'll …

Read the situation and write what you say.

Lisez la situation et écrivez ce que vous dites.

It's a bit cold. The window is open and you decide to close it.
Example: I think I'll close it.Il fait un peu froid. La fenêtre est ouverte et vous décidez de la fermer.
Exemple : I think I'll close it.

You are feeling tired and it's getting late. You decide to go to bed.
Goodnight!Vous êtes fatigué et il se fait tard. Vous décidez d'aller vous coucher.
Bonne nuit !

The weather is nice and you need some exercise. You decide to go for a walk.
Do you want to come?Le temps est beau et vous avez besoin de faire de l'exercice. Vous décidez de faire une promenade.
Tu veux venir ?

You were going to have lunch. Now you decide you don't want to eat anything.
Vous alliez déjeuner. Vous décidez maintenant que vous ne voulez rien manger.

You planned to go swimming today. Now you decide not to go.
today.Vous aviez prévu d'aller nager aujourd'hui. Vous décidez de ne pas y aller.
aujourd'hui.

Answers:Réponses : 2. I think I'll go to bed · 3. I think I'll go for a walk · 4. I don't think I'll have lunch · 5. I don't think I'll go swimming

EX 3

Exercise 3 — Which is correct? Choose the right option

Exercice 3 — Lequel est correct ? Choisissez la bonne option

Click the correct form for each sentence.

Cliquez sur la forme correcte pour chaque phrase.

Answers:Réponses : 1. I'll call · 2. I'm playing · 3. I'll meet · 4. I'll stay · 5. I'm having · 6. I won't forget · 7. we're going · 8. Are you doing · 9. Will you do · 10. Do you go · 11. won't tell · 12. I'll do

EX 4

Exercise 4 — Write sentences with Shall I … ? or Shall we … ?

Exercice 4 — Écrivez des phrases avec Shall I … ? ou Shall we … ?

Write what you say in each situation.

Écrivez ce que vous dites dans chaque situation.

You and a friend want to do something this evening, but you don't know what.
Example: What shall we do this evening?Vous et un ami voulez faire quelque chose ce soir, mais vous ne savez pas quoi.
Exemple : What shall we do this evening?

You and a friend are going on holiday together, but have to decide where.
Vous et un ami partez en vacances ensemble, mais vous devez décider où.

You try on a jacket in a shop. You're not sure whether to buy it. You ask a friend.
What do you think?Vous essayez une veste dans un magasin. Vous ne savez pas si vous allez l'acheter. Vous demandez à un ami.
Qu'en penses-tu ?

You and a friend are going out. You need to decide: taxi or walk?
or Vous et un ami sortez. Vous devez décider : taxi ou à pied ?
ou

It's Helen's birthday soon. You want to give her a present, but what?
What Any ideas?C'est bientôt l'anniversaire d'Hélène. Vous voulez lui offrir un cadeau, mais lequel ?
What Des idées ?

You're meeting a friend tomorrow but haven't decided what time.
Is 10.30 OK for you?Vous retrouvez un ami demain mais n'avez pas décidé à quelle heure.
10h30 ça te va ?

Answers:Réponses : 2. Where shall we go? · 3. Shall I buy it? · 4. Shall we get a taxi? / shall we walk? · 5. shall we get/give her? · 6. What time shall we meet?

Frequently Asked Questions — Will and Shall 1

Questions fréquentes — Will et Shall 1

What is the difference between "I'll do it" and "I'm going to do it"?Quelle est la différence entre "I'll do it" et "I'm going to do it" ?

I'll do it = a decision made spontaneously at the moment of speaking. I'm going to do it = a decision made before the current conversation. Example: If someone asks for a volunteer and you offer spontaneously: I'll do it! But if you had already decided: I'm going to do it.

I'll do it = décision spontanée au moment de parler. I'm going to do it = décision prise avant la conversation en cours.

When do I use "I'll" and when do I use the present continuous for the future?Quand utilise-t-on "I'll" et quand le présent continu pour le futur ?

Use the present continuous for things already decided and arranged: I'm meeting Kate tomorrow. Use I'll for things you decide at the moment of speaking: I'll meet you at 10.30, OK?

Utilisez le présent continu pour les choses déjà décidées et organisées. Utilisez I'll pour les choses que vous décidez au moment de parler.

What does "won't" mean when we say "The car won't start"?Que signifie "won't" quand on dit "The car won't start" ?

Won't (= will not) can express refusal — not just human refusal but also a kind of mechanical resistance. The car won't start means the car is refusing to start despite attempts. Similarly, She won't listen means she refuses to listen.

Won't peut exprimer un refus — pas seulement humain, mais aussi une résistance mécanique.

What is the difference between "Shall I shut the door?" and "Will you shut the door?"Quelle est la différence entre "Shall I shut the door?" et "Will you shut the door?" ?

Shall I shut the door? = I am offering to shut it — asking if you'd like me to. Will you shut the door? = I am asking you to do it — a request directed at the other person.

Shall I shut the door? = j'offre de le faire. Will you shut the door? = je vous demande de le faire.

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Will and Shall 1 Quiz

Quiz — Will et Shall 1

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out ofsur 20 questionsquestions

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Will and Shall 1Spontaneous Decisions · Offers · Promises · Shall I/We? Will et Shall 1Décisions spontanées · Offres · Promesses · Shall I/We ?

I'll — Announcing a Decision Made Right Now

I'll — Annoncer une décision prise à l'instant

I'll — Offers, Agreements, Promises & Won't for Refusal

I'll — Offres, accords, promesses & won't pour le refus

Offering

Offrir

Agreeing

Accepter

Promising

Promettre

Refusing (won't)

Refuser (won't)

Will vs Present Continuous — Don't Confuse Them

Will vs Présent Continu — Ne pas les confondre

Will — spontaneous decision (NOW)

Will — décision spontanée (MAINTENANT)

Present Continuous — pre-arranged

Présent Continu — préorganisé

Shall I / Shall We — Offers and Suggestions

Shall I / Shall We — Offres et suggestions

Shall I — offering / asking

Shall I — offrir / demander

Will you — requesting

Will you — demander à quelqu'un

Will and Shall — Exercises with AnswersWill et Shall — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Complete with I'll + a suitable verb

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec I'll + un verbe approprié

Exercise 2 — Write sentences with I think I'll … or I don't think I'll …

Exercice 2 — Écrivez des phrases avec I think I'll … ou I don't think I'll …

Exercise 3 — Which is correct? Choose the right option

Exercice 3 — Lequel est correct ? Choisissez la bonne option

Exercise 4 — Write sentences with Shall I … ? or Shall we … ?

Exercice 4 — Écrivez des phrases avec Shall I … ? ou Shall we … ?

Frequently Asked Questions — Will and Shall 1

Questions fréquentes — Will et Shall 1

Will and Shall 1 — Quiz

Will et Shall 1 — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Will and Shall 1 Quiz

Quiz — Will et Shall 1

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Will and Shall 1
Spontaneous Decisions · Offers · Promises · Shall I/We? Will et Shall 1
Décisions spontanées · Offres · Promesses · Shall I/We ?