Eli5 – How would you explain when to use “I’ll” vs “I will” to someone who isn’t a native speaker?

Question

For example why does it sound unnatural to say “I’ll not use this for profit.”?

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Answer 1

Every language has fast versions that show up in casual speech. That’s contractions in English. Everyone has a basic understanding of how this works. If you have a native French speaker, they’ll be familiar with dropping the ‘ne’ in negation because it’s not necessary for understanding, so you cut it. But not in writing or formal speech.

The context for when to use fast versions is pretty universal. There are some differences across generations in some cultures, etc. but by and large if you let them know that’s fast English, they’ll get it right most of the time.

That said, ‘I’ll not’ is contextually acceptable in many places. It’s a slightly more polite way to express opposition – less defiant, more considered – than ‘I won’t’.