I'm playing / I'll play tennis

Question

Hello,I have got some problems with the following exercise:I can't meet you tomorrow. I'm playing / I'll play tennis (I'm playing is correct)I need some money. OK, I'm lending / I'll lend you some. How much do you need? (I'll lend is correct)I'm having / I'll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come. (I'm having is correct)What time does your train leave / will your train leave tomorrow? (does your train leave is correct)I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn't tell / won't tell me. (won't tell is correct)Are you doing / Will you do anything tomorrow evening? (Are you doing is correct)I don't want to go out alone. Do you come / WIll you come with me? (Will you come is correct)In my opinion, both options in every sentence are correct. I can't understand why there is just one answer correct.Thank you in advance!

Terryxpress · Accepted Answer

OK.

What does Present Continuous indicate about an action; and what is the difference between that and Future tense.e.g.

I'm going to Australia next year.
and
I'll go to Australia when I retire.

After all, both events are in the future!

CalifJim · Answer

Generally speaking, given the choices you have in these exercises, the -ing forms are "expository" or "independent". That is, you can start a conversation with these. They don't depend on knowing any other information first. In contrast, the will forms are "reactive" or "dependent". They don't make sense as a way of starting a conversation, for example. They depend on other information that comes up in the course of the conversation or information that is already present in the situation that exists in the environment.

________________

The -ing forms state (or ask about) an intention, plan, or schedule. They are not responses that are contingent upon other information in the situation.

I can't meet you tomorrow. I'm playing =Intention/Plan / I'll play tennis (I'm playing is correct)
I'm having =Intention/Plan / I'll have a party next Saturday. I hope you can come. (I'm having is correct)

Are you doing =Intention/Plan / Will you do anything tomorrow evening? (Are you doing is correct)
____________

The simple present can also be used to state or ask for information about plans and schedules.

What time does your train leave =Schedule / will your train leave tomorrow? (does your train leave is correct)

What time does [the train arrive? / the concert start? / the bus leave?]

____________

The will forms are responses or reactions that are contingent upon other information. If you see that someone needs something, you can offer help by using will. If someone needs help, they can request it by using will.

I need some money. =Need

OK, I'm lending / I'll lend =Offer of help/Response you some. How much do you need? (I'll lend is correct)
I don't want to go out alone. =Need (someone) Do you come / WIll =Request for help/Response you come with me? (Will you come is correct)
_____________

won't and wouldn't are used to mean refuse(s) to and refused to, respectively:

I asked Sue what happened, but she doesn't tell / won't =refuses to tell me. (won't tell is correct)

CJ

I'm playing / I'll play tennis

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