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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Future/present tense... when I'm done

Hopefully, I won't look like an idiot when I'm done

Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done

Which is correct?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hi, Both are OK. Hopefully, I won't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I will do in the future. Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I do 'as a habit', eg 'every day'.

— Clive

  • Hi, Both are OK.
  • Hopefully, I won't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I will do in the future.
  • Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I do 'as a habit', eg 'every day'.
  • Which is correct?
  • Clive
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3 Answers
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Hi,

Both are OK.



Hopefully, I won't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I will do in the future.


Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I do 'as a habit', eg 'every day'.

Which is correct?

Clive
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Clive Hi,
Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I do 'as a habit', eg 'every day'.
But this context does not imply a habit. It's talking about the future ie. when I'm done. It's not the same as habitual/general "I look like an idiot when I do that".
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Hi again,



Clive said

Hopefully, I don't look like an idiot when I'm done Refers to something I do 'as a habit', eg 'every day'.”



But this context does not imply a habit. There's not much of a context, but the simple present normally suggests a habit or schedule. And that''s how I understood your sentence when I read it.

eg Every day,
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