Level: High Beginning and Up
Pair with the Songs:
“I Will Remember You” (Sarah McLachlan, 1999)
“One Call Away” (Charlie Puth, 2016)
“I Will Always Love You” (Whitney Houston, 1992)
“Can’t Buy Me Love” (Beatles, 1965)
Recommended Videos:
“I Will Remember You”: the official video or the live 2020 performance at Edmonton Folk Music Festival (The official video ends with a romantic kiss and may not be suitable for your class; previewing is advised.)
“One Call Away”: the official video
“I Will Always Love You”: the official video, with scenes from the movie The Bodyguard (This video ends with a romantic kiss and may not be suitable for your class; previewing is advised.)
“Can’t Buy Me Love”: the live performance video

The future-tense construction I’ll + a verb in the simple form is used when making promises. The songs “I Will Remember You” and “I Will Always Love You” repeat the title phrase, which is a promise, many times, and the song “One Call Away” repeats the promise I’ll be there to save the day four times. Part I of the interactive worksheet below gives students practice making promises. Part II is slightly more challenging; it asks students to evaluate promises (all beginning with I will) that people make when they get married. It prompted a lot of interaction and laughter in my class of adults in their 20s and 30s. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use. For more activities, please see the Lesson Plan for “I Will Remember You” or the Lesson Plan for “One Call Away.”

will, making promises.docx          will, making promises.pdf         will, making promises (webpage)

Another song that  uses will + a verb in the simple form to make promises is The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” (I’ll buy you a diamond ring, I’ll give you all I’ve got to give, etc.). The lyrics gap-fill exercise below focuses on this construction. Lyrics are intended for nonprofit educational purposes only.

can’t buy me love, gap-fill.pdf

Preview:

Part I

A.  Read the conversation under the photo.

Person 1: Can you pick up the birthday cake at the bakery?
Person 2: I’ll pick it up on my way home.

When you make a promise, use I’ll or I will + the simple form of a verb.

B.  Answer each question with a promise. Begin each sentence with I’ll, and write when you are going to keep your promise (for example, tomorrow, later, after lunch).

1. Can you help me fill out this form?  I’ll help you this afternoon.
2. Can you take the children to the park?
3. Can you clean the kitchen?
4. Can you send me the information?
5. Can you buy snacks for the party?
6. Can you help me paint the living room?
7. Can you fix this broken lamp?
8. Can you translate this document?
9. Can you mail this package?
10. Can you show me how to use this computer?

C.  Read the questions and promises above aloud with a partner.

Part II

A.  When people get married, they often make promises to each other. Read the promises below. Which do you think are the most important promises? Check (✓) five promises.  (You can also write your own idea on the line below.)

☐ I will stay with you during difficult times.
☐ I will always put you first. (You will be the most important part of my life.)
☐ I will say “I love you” often.
☐ I will never try to change you.
☐ I will stay with you for the rest of my life.
☐ I will never say anything bad about your family.
☐ I will eat anything you cook.
☐ I will give you compliments.
☐ I will always be polite to you. (I will say please and thank you, for example.)
☐ I will not let myself go. (I will take care of my body.)
☐ Before I buy something expensive, I will talk it over with you.
☐ I will always be honest with you.
☐ I will be a good friend to you.
☐ ________________________________________________________________

(Write your own idea.)

B.  Explain to a partner why you chose those five promises.

Copyright © 2016 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Photo of cake: Copyright © Elena Elisseeva | Dreamstime. Reprinted with permission.