The Future Continuous vs. the Present Continuous

Both the Future and Present Continuous may be used when the question is about arranged activities or events in the future. However, the difference between the two tense forms used to express actions of the same characteristic lies in the following:

1) The form of the Future Continuous suggests another implied action which is dependent on or conditioned by the one already planned^[16]:

I’m seeing Green tomorrow. (=it is my arrangement with Green)

I shall be seeing Green tomorrow. (Is there anything you’d like me to tell him?)

2) The Future Continuous often suggests casualty and sounds less definite than the Present Continuous^[16]:

I’m seeing Green tomorrow. (=we have arranged)

I shall be seeing Green tomorrow. (=I count not on the arrangement but on the circumstances, e.g. we finish work at the same time and often walk home together, that’s why it is quite possible that I’ll meet him tomorrow)

3) The Future Continuous is used in polite questions about someone’s arrangements or plans^[16]:

Will you be going to the party?

Exercises

Ex. 25. Match the sentences with the correct descriptions and comments of tense used there

1) Will you be driving into town this afternoon? Can you give me a lift? 2) I’ll be going to the bank tomorrow. 3) Don’t worry, I’ll be waiting for you at the station. 4) Professor Craig will be giving a lecture on Etruscan poetry tomorrow evening. 5) It wil l be all plain sailing

а) an arranged or scheduled activity; b) an action durative at a specified moment in the future; c) an action which is the result of a routine; d) a polite question about people’s plans; e) a future action which is in progress because of the normal course of events.

Ex.26. Match the sentences with the appropriate variants of their translation

1 a Mary won’t pay this bill. b Mary won’t be paying this bill.	а Мария не намерена оплачивать этот счет. б Мария не оплатит / будет оплачивать этот счет.
2 a Will you join us for dinner?. b Will you be joining us for dinner?	а А не пообедать ли нам вместе? б А вы будете с нами обедать?
3 a Won’t you come with us? b Won’t you be coming with us?	а Вы разве с нами не пойдете? б Вы не хотите пойти с нами?
4 а Ann will be helping us to organize the party. b Ann will help us to organize the party.	а Анна поможет нам с организацией вечеринки. б Анна помогает/будет помогать нам с организацией вечеринки.
5 a Will you stay with us tonight? b Will you be staying with us tonight?	а Вы не хотите у нас остаться сегодня? б Вы останетесь у нас сегодня?

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