Future and present continous

Question

Could you figure out the differences in meaning between these:I'll work on this matter tomorrowI'll be working on this matter tomorrow

Goodman · Accepted Answer

Hi Billy,,

Both are grammatical.

Which one to use, “Will” or “will be verb + ing” depends on the context.

If someone asked you when you will work on the matter, the 1^st one is more suitable.

Examples:

Present progressive used in future tense

What are you doing this weekend?

I am going to clean up my backyard which I’ve put off for a long time.

Future tense

When will you clean the back yard? It looks like a dump ?

I will clean it up tomorrow.

Yankee · Answer

Hi Belly

Your question is actually about the "will future" vs the future continuous (not the present continuous).

I see the use of 'will' in sentence 1 as a promise (or an indication of your willingness) to do something. You have probably just now made the decision to 'work on this matter tomorrow'.

In your second sentence, the future continuous suggests a very matter-of-fact and definite plan. The plan was probably decided well before now, and there may have been someone else who made the plan for you or with you.
Using the future continuous can also add a sense of duration.

Belly · Answer

So that's mean:

I'll work on this tomorrow means : I will, but if something comes up, I perhaps won't?

I will be working on this tomorrow means: I have planned something to do to day, and I also have plan to do this tomorrow?

Anonymous · Answer

hello, hope you are still in need in an answer

"simple future" like simple past is used usually to focus on one completed action in either the past or future

ex. I bought it yesterday / I will buy it tomorrow

"past continuous" like future continuous (unlike present continuous) is usually to contrast 2 actions or a time phrase and a 2nd action (usually one action is continuous and the other is simple)

ex. The phone rang while I was cooking / The children will be studying tonight while we are at the cinema

Any further questions email : Email Removed

CalifJim · Answer

I'll work on this tomorrow means : I will, but if something comes up, I perhaps won't?

I will be working on this tomorrow means: I have planned something to do to day, and I also have plan to do this tomorrow?

No, not really. Those paraphrases don't capture the difference between the two. Try these instead.

Future: I'll work on this tomorrow.
['product oriented']

I intend to work on this tomorrow.
('work on this' is conceptualized as an 'opaque' block of time, a 'black box' of time. The details of what it means to 'work on this' are not visible. We are to think of 'work on this' as a single action.)

Future continuous: I'll be working on this tomorrow.
['process oriented']

If you see me tomorrow, you'll see me actively involved in the process of working on this.
('work on this' is conceptualized as an open 'transparent' block of time. The details of what it means to 'work on this' are open to view. We are to imagine the details as they unfold in time as a series of smaller actions.)

CJ

Future and present continous

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