eng6-2.2· Əlavə: proqramdan kənar qrammatika· ~13 min

will / shall

Predictions, offers and decisions.

We use 'will' (contracted to 'll) to talk about the future in three main ways. First, for predictions — things we think or believe will happen: 'It will rain tomorrow.' 'I think she'll pass the exam.' Second, for instant decisions — choices we make at the moment of speaking: 'The phone is ringing. I'll answer it!' Third, for promises and offers: 'I'll help you with your homework.' The negative is 'will not', contracted to 'won't': 'He won't be late.' For yes/no questions we put 'will' before the subject: 'Will you come to the party?' — 'Yes, I will.' / 'No, I won't.' We also use 'Shall' with I and we to make polite offers or suggestions: 'Shall I open the window?' / 'Shall we go now?' Note that 'will' goes with ALL subjects (I/you/he/she/it/we/they) and is always followed by the base form of the verb (no -s, no -ing). For example: 'Shall I carry your bag? — Yes, please. I think it will be very heavy!'

Key terms

will — A modal verb used with the base form of the verb to talk about the future (predictions, instant decisions, promises, and offers). It is the same for all subjects: I/you/he/she/it/we/they will.
won't — The negative contraction of 'will not'. Used to say something will not happen in the future. Example: 'She won't be late.'
prediction — A statement about what you think or believe will happen in the future. Example: 'It will rain tomorrow.'
instant decision — A decision you make at the exact moment of speaking, not planned before. Example: 'The phone is ringing — I'll answer it!'
shall — A modal verb used only with I and we to make polite offers or suggestions. Example: 'Shall I help you?' / 'Shall we go now?'
base form — The plain form of a verb with no endings (-s, -ed, -ing). After 'will' and 'shall', always use the base form. Example: go, eat, be, open.
will / won't — All Forms
FormStructureExample
PositiveSubject + will + base verbShe will come to the party.
Positive (contracted)Subject + 'll + base verbShe'll come to the party.
NegativeSubject + will not + base verbShe will not come to the party.
Negative (contracted)Subject + won't + base verbShe won't come to the party.
Yes/No QuestionWill + subject + base verb?Will she come to the party?
Short answer (Yes)Yes, subject + will.Yes, she will.
Short answer (No)No, subject + won't.No, she won't.

Note: 'will' never changes — no -s, no -ing, no -ed. Always use the base form of the verb after it.

Three uses of 'will'
UseWhen to use itExample
PredictionYou think something will happen (based on opinion or evidence)I think it will snow tonight.
Instant decisionYou decide something at the moment of speakingThe phone is ringing — I'll answer it!
Promise / OfferYou promise to do something or offer to help someoneI'll help you with your homework.

All three uses follow the same structure: will + base verb.

shall — Offers and Suggestions
UseSubjectStructureExample
OfferIShall I + base verb?Shall I carry your bag?
SuggestionweShall we + base verb?Shall we go home now?

'Shall' is only used with I and we. Never say 'Shall you…?' or 'Shall they…?'

✎Building a 'will' sentence step by step
  1. 1Step 1: Choose your subject: She
  2. 2Step 2: Add 'will' (same for ALL subjects — no -s): She will
  3. 3Step 3: Add the BASE FORM of the verb (no -s, no -ing, no -ed): She will study
  4. 4Step 4: Complete the sentence: She will study hard for the exam.
  5. 5Step 5: Make it negative — replace 'will' with 'won't', keep base form: She won't fail her exam.
✎Choosing between 'Will you…?' and 'Shall I/we…?'
  1. 1Situation A: You want to ask someone to do something for you: Use 'Will you…?' → 'Will you open the door, please?'
  2. 2Situation B: You want to offer to do something for someone else: Use 'Shall I…?' → 'Shall I open the door for you?'
  3. 3Situation C: You want to suggest doing something together: Use 'Shall we…?' → 'Shall we sit by the window?'
  4. 4Key rule: 'Shall' is only for I and we. 'Shall you' is NOT correct English.
🚫Common mistake

Do NOT add -s to 'will' or to the verb after 'will'. 'Will' is the same for all subjects. WRONG: 'She wills eat.' / 'She will eats.' CORRECT: 'She will eat.' The same rule applies to 'won't' and 'shall': 'Shall we order?' (NOT 'Shall we orders?')

🚫Common mistake

Do NOT use an -ing form or a past form after 'will' or 'won't'. WRONG: 'I will eating.' / 'She won't failed.' CORRECT: 'I will eat.' / 'She won't fail.' After 'will'/'won't'/'shall', always use the BASE form of the verb.

⚠️Caution

'Shall' is only used with I and we for offers and suggestions. WRONG: 'Shall you open the window?' / 'Shall they go?' CORRECT: 'Shall I open the window?' / 'Shall we go?' To ask someone else to do something, use 'Will you…?'

💡Note

When answering a 'will' question, use 'will' or 'won't' in the short answer — never 'do/does' or 'is/are'. WRONG: 'Yes, she does.' / 'No, it isn't.' CORRECT: 'Yes, she will.' / 'No, it won't.' Also, never mix 'Yes' with 'won't' — 'Yes, I won't' is contradictory. Use 'Yes, I will' or 'No, I won't'.

Rules

  1. 1Use 'will' + base verb for predictions: 'It will snow tonight.' (all subjects — never add -s or -ing)
  2. 2Use 'will' for instant decisions made at the moment of speaking: 'I'll take the pizza, please.'
  3. 3Use 'will' for promises and offers: 'I'll call you later.' / 'I'll carry that for you.'
  4. 4Negative: won't + base verb (= will not): 'She won't eat spicy food.'
  5. 5Use 'Shall I / Shall we…?' for polite offers and suggestions: 'Shall we sit here?'

Practice

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