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Question about the future

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar
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Hela
 
Reply Thu 15 May, 2014 02:26 am
Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me which tense should I use in this question and why? If many can be used, which one is the most appropriate?

Mark: Shall we meet tomorrow?
Allison: Yes, but not in the afternoon. I am working / will be working.
Mark: a) Are you free...
b) Are you going to be free...
c) Will you be free at 11.30?
Allison: Yes, probably. Why?

Thank you in advance.
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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 458 • Replies: 8
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dalehileman
 
  1  
Reply Thu 15 May, 2014 02:03 pm
@Hela,
Quote:
Mark: a) Are you free...
Either okay Hela in spite of apparent tense diff, a collo very common

Ditto the next 3. However Allison might not ask why. Obviously the answer is "A meeting" since both seem to know its general purpose. Thus she is more likely to ask, "All right then, what exactly did you have in mind"


But Joe where art thee. Wonder if I might have overlooked something
McTag
 
  1  
Reply Thu 15 May, 2014 04:54 pm
@dalehileman,

Dale is right. Colloquially, they all work.
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OmSigDAVID
 
  1  
Reply Thu 15 May, 2014 05:03 pm
@dalehileman,
Dale, are "diff" or "collo" words in English ????
What do thay mean ??????
Hela
 
  1  
Reply Fri 16 May, 2014 01:16 am
@dalehileman,
Hello,

Sorry, You're right. Allison's answer was “Yes, the meeting will have ended by then.”
If colloquially all three tenses are accepted, which one is the most "academic"?

Thanks for your patience.
Have a nice day.
McTag
 
  2  
Reply Fri 16 May, 2014 02:54 am
@Hela,

Quote:
which one is the most "academic"?


Nothing to choose between them.

a) is more modern, direct.
b) is fine.
c) is fine too. Note that this is direct, reported everyday speech. There is no scope for any fancy stuff!
Hela
 
  1  
Reply Fri 16 May, 2014 05:02 am
@McTag,
Thanks Smile
0 Replies
 
dalehileman
 
  1  
Reply Fri 16 May, 2014 12:00 pm
@OmSigDAVID,
Quote:
Dale, are "diff" or "collo" words in English ????
"Diff" is, "Collo" isn't

Quote:
What do they mean ??????
The first is very common for "difference". However Dave my apologies for the second, which I use for "colloquial" out of sheer laziness
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dalehileman
 
  2  
Reply Fri 16 May, 2014 12:06 pm
@Hela,
Quote:
Hello,
Hi

Quote:
Sorry, You're right. Allison's answer was “Yes, the meeting will have ended by then.”
Aha! It's not everyday…..

Quote:
If colloquially all three tenses are accepted, which one is the most "academic"?
Oh boy Hela you got me. I'd lean to Mac above, until we hear from one fanatically devoted to the grammarian's world

Quote:
Thanks for your patience.
You're quite welcome

Quote:
Have a nice day.
Thou likewise
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