@Setanta,
Quote:That's an over-elaborate explanation. In that sentence, "will" simply expresses futurity. "I hope my colleagues are going to expand on this."--means the same thing.
Asking questions of those who know little of the English language and how it works is a recipe for disaster for EFLs. In another thread these same people will rail on and on about how English has nuance.
OP: I think 'will' in the sentence bellow announced 'invitation', am I right?
I hope that my colleagues will expand on this.
Yes, you are right and Setanta is mistaken. To suggest that it only is an expression of futurity is mere gobbledygook. Totally unhelpful gobbledygook.
Note the seventh definition.
McMillan:
modal verb
▸used for talking about future actions or events more...
▸used for saying what you expect to happen in the future more...
▸used for saying what is planned or arranged for a future occasion more...
▸used for showing that you are fairly certain that something is true more...
▸used for saying that you are willing to do something or that you intend to do it more...
▸used for asking someone to do something, especially when you are annoyed more...
▸used for making a polite offer or invitation more...
▸used for saying whether something is possible more...
▸used for ordering that something must be done more...
▸used for saying what always happens in certain situations more...
▸used for saying that someone has a habit of doing something, especially when you do not approve of what they are doing more...