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hela



Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 420
Location: Tunisia

PostPosted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:51 am    Post subject: Future Reply with quote

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
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

B is simply asking about intentions.
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hela



Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 420
Location: Tunisia

PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And would you say :

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

All the best.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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advoca



Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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hela



Joined: 02 May 2004
Posts: 420
Location: Tunisia

PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Smile
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