Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me the difference between:

a) WILL you come to the concert tonight? AND
b) WILL you BE COMING to the concert tonight?

Thank you for your help,
Hela

[bud]

Most likely, a is an invitation, although, in context, it could simply be asking about intentions.

B is simply asking about intentions.

[hela]

And would you say :

a) When DOES the play start? OR
b) When WILL the play start?

All the best.

[bud]

Both are fine. In the U.S., I'd guess that the first is much more natural. I'm trying to think of when I might use the second version... I think I'd use it if the scheduled start was delayed. (E.g., I'm in the theater, it's 8:30 and the play was supposed to start at 8:00 and nothing has been announced to the audience.)

Even so, it'd be perfectly fine to say b without any unusual circumstances.

[advoca]

a) When DOES the play start?
I think the answer would specify the time of starting. It starts at 7.30.


b) When WILL the play start?
I think this would probably refer to a future commencement. It will start early next month.

[hela]

Thank you