Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[syoshioka99]

I don't think I can meet you at six tomorrow night because we have a lot of extra work this month. Probably ( ).
(1) I'll still be working (2) I'll still work (3) I'm still at work (4) I'm still working

According to my book, (1) is correct. But I do not understand why (2) is correct?

Is it like (1) is better than (2)

OR

(2) is totally wrong but (1) is the ONLY correct answer.


And could you tell me the difference between "future progressive" as in (1) and "simple future" as in (2)?

syoshioka99

[MauraS]

(1) is the only right answer. The other choices you gave do not work.

The future progressive is used when an action will be in progress at a specific time in the present. The specific moment in your case is 6 o'clock.

The difference between the future progressive and the future simple is that the first is talking about a continuous action.

I can say

A) I work tomorrow.

and

B) I will be working tomorrow.

They are both fine, but B) emphasizes that a continuous action is happening.

[syoshioka99]

Thank you for your comment, MauraS!

But I still do not seem to understand the problem.


Although you say, "I can say A) I work tomorrow. and B) I will be working tomorrow. They are both fine, but B) emphasizes that a continuous action is happening.

If they are both fine, why can't I say "I will still work" in the example I mentioned????

[MauraS]

Unfortunately some tenses are not defined so easily. This is an example of that. Sometimes either is possible and sometimes only one is possible and sometimes either is possible with different meanings.

Another example:

"I will work at 5pm" and "I will be working at 5pm"

In the first sentence, 5pm is the hour the person starts working. In the second sentence the person will start working before 5 and the working will still be in progress at 5pm.

In your question you definitely want to use the progressive tense because you will have started working before 6.

Hope that's a bit clearer.

[syoshioka99]

I appreciate it!

sy