1. Grammar
Will, Won’t, and Shall
1) Use will for future facts, predictions, instant decisions, promises, and offers
- Future facts: things that are expected to happen.
- Predictions: what you think will happen.
- Instant decisions: decisions made at the moment of speaking.
- Promises: when you commit to do something.
- Offers: when you volunteer to help.
Form:
- will + base verb
- won’t + base verb = negative
2) Use won’t for negative future meaning
Use won’t when you think something will not happen, or when you refuse or promise not to do something.
3) Use shall for suggestions and offers, usually with I or we
Shall is less common in everyday American English, but it is still useful in polite suggestions and offers.
- Shall we + base verb? = suggestion
- Shall I + base verb? = offer
Short structure guide
- I / you / he / she / it / we / they + will + verb
- I / you / he / she / it / we / they + won’t + verb
- Shall I / we + verb?
Examples
- The beach will be crowded on Saturday.
- I think the weather will get warmer this afternoon.
- Don’t worry — I won’t forget your appointment.
- I’m thirsty. I will get some water now.
- Shall we take a break after this lesson?
- Shall I call the client and confirm the time?
- I will help you carry the supplies.
- The freeway won’t be empty at 5 p.m.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: I go to call you later.
Correct: I will call you later. - Wrong: He won’t to come.
Correct: He won’t come. - Wrong: Shall you help me?
Correct: Shall we help you? / Will you help me? - Wrong: I shall going now.
Correct: I will go now. / I’m going now. - Wrong: She will not to be late.
Correct: She won’t be late.
Quick reminder
- Use will for most future ideas.
- Use won’t for negative future ideas.
- Use shall mainly for polite suggestions and offers with I and we.
Practice thinking
When you speak, try to say a full sentence and then add a follow-up question. For example:
- “I will finish work early. What about you?”
- “Shall we go hiking on Sunday? What do you think?”