Expressing future time
|
Using will | page 7 of 7 |
Using 'll
In the Bank of English 
, the contracted form 'll is used
(generally after pronouns) once for every three and a half uses of will. This is a
much higher proportion than for local Hong Kong students, who use will 20 times
more than they use 'll. Like all contractions, 'll is very common in
conversation 
:
Er, this is a letter from a lady who now lives in the south-east of England. For the sake of it we'll call her Joanna all right? That's not her name but you'll understand as we get through it exactly why I'm not giving her real name on the radio. (Bank of English)
The contraction 'll is also used in written styles where the writer wants to appear informal or personal. This approach is very common in the modern business world, and is found in brochures and leaflets as well as in letters:
If your income drops and you can't keep up the payments you could be in real trouble. Don't let credit tempt you to buy something you can't afford. Don't forget the benefits of paying cash. You'll save yourself money and have no worries later. If you borrow make sure you know exactly what you're taking on. (Bank of English)
Will (and also would) cannot be shortened when they are used on their own, without a following verb:
A: I think Jim Bowen'll get the award. B: You think he will? (Bank of English)
Introduction
Using 'll
