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A235–45 minutes on your own60 minutes with a tutor

Will and Won’t: Decisions, Offers and Promises

By the end: I can make a decision, offer help and promise something with will.

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Start here

Your friend has two heavy bags. Offer to help.

Read each explanation, say your answer aloud, then open the model and try again. You may write your answer if you prefer. Use invented personal details whenever you like.

Useful preparation: Subject pronouns, base verbs and familiar everyday vocabulary.

Playback speed

Choose a play button when you are ready.

Learn 1

Decide now

We often use will when we make a decision as we speak: The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it. I’ll means I will. Put the base verb after will; do not add to or -s.

I’ll answer the phone.

We’ll take the bus.

The full form and the contraction

I will not be late.I won’t be late.

Won’t is the contraction of will not. Keep the base form be after either version.

Learn 2

Preserved lesson scene for I'll answer the phone. People and essential props isolated on white. — I’ll answer the phone.I’ll expresses a decision made now. The picture catches the response before answering.

Offer help

Use I’ll + an action to offer help: I’ll carry that bag. Use a helpful tone. The form stays the same with every person: he will help, not he wills help.

I’ll carry your bag.

I’ll show you the room.

Make the offer fit the situation

You have two bags.I’ll carry the blue one.

I’ll means I will. The speaker volunteers to carry one particular bag, the blue one.

The other bag’s neutral colour is only an illustration aid; the recording identifies the blue bag.

Learn 3

Make a promise

Use will for a promise and won’t for a negative promise: I’ll call tonight. I won’t forget. Won’t means will not. The following verb stays in its base form.

I’ll call you tonight.

I won’t forget.

The promise includes a time

The promised actionI’ll call you at six.

Will is followed by the base verb call.

The negative promiseI won’t forget.

The speaker promises that forgetting will not happen.

Guided practice

Try each answer first. Check it, or open a model and its explanation.

Try the form

1. Complete the short form of I will: I___ help you.

Compare an answer and explanation

‘ll

Add ‘ll directly to I: I’ll help you.

2. Complete: She will ___ tonight. Use call.

Compare an answer and explanation

call

Use the base verb after will.

3. Write the short form of will not.

Compare an answer and explanation

won’t

Will not becomes won’t.

4. Complete: We ___ be late. Use the full negative of will.

Compare an answer and explanation

will not

Put not after will.

Build or change a sentence

5. Use a short form: I will answer the phone.

Compare an answer and explanation

I’ll answer the phone.

I will becomes I’ll.

6. Make negative: We will forget.

Compare an answer and explanation

We won’t forget. / We will not forget.

Use won’t before forget.

7. Correct: He wills help.

Compare an answer and explanation

He will help. / He’ll help.

Will does not take s.

8. Correct: I’ll to carry it.

Compare an answer and explanation

I’ll carry it.

Do not add to after will.

Listen to a short conversation

Listen. Then open the words and read aloud. Try one part with a partner, or say both parts on your own.

Open the conversation transcript

A: This bag is heavy.

B: I’ll carry it for you.

A: Thanks. Please call me tonight too.

B: I will. I won’t forget.

Listening checks

Read the question, play its recording, then choose an answer. You can open the transcript whenever you need it.

Listening 1

Read the transcript

The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it.

Listening 2

Read the transcript

You have two bags. I’ll carry the blue one.

Listening 3

Read the transcript

I’ll call you at six. I won’t forget.

Preserved lesson scene for I'll carry your bag. People and essential props isolated on white. — I’ll carry your bag.I’ll offers help. Your bag belongs to the listener, who has not yet handed it over.

Make it yours

Speak first, compare a model, then say a new version. These tasks are ungraded.

Speaking task 1

Respond to three situations with a decision: the phone rings; your friend needs a pen; you decide to take a bus.

Compare a possible response

I’ll answer the phone. I’ll give you a pen. I’ll take the bus.

Success check: Use I’ll and a simple action verb.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 2

Offer help to a friend carrying bags and a new student looking for a room.

Compare a possible response

I’ll carry your bags. I’ll show you the room.

Success check: Make the offer fit the situation.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 3

Make two promises for an invented meeting. One must use won’t.

Compare a possible response

I’ll arrive at six. I won’t be late.

Success check: Include will and won’t without to.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Recap

Listen and repeat. I’ll answer the phone. I’ll carry your bag. I’ll call you tonight.

I can make a decision, offer help and promise something with will.

I can use the main pattern.
I can make one sentence of my own.
I know one thing to practise again.

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