present simple OR present continuous

Question

Hi,Following is taken from an English textbook:I'd better hurry. It's nearly 8 o'clock. I am supposed to be meeting Tom at 8.15.Q: Can I replace ...supposed to be meeting... by ...supposed to meet... in the third sentence? If I can, will the modified version be different from the original one in meaning?mus-te

Vorpar · Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the simple present. The meaning doesn't change for the example.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Thank you!

Canadian45 · Answer

I'd better hurry. It's nearly 8 o'clock. I am supposed to be meeting Tom at 8.15.Q: Can I replace ...supposed to be meeting... by ...supposed to meet... in the third sentence? If I can, will the modified version be different from the original one in meaning?mus-te

I agree that using "supposed to meet" in the third sentence will not change the meaning in your situation. But in some situations the meanings can be different.

1) 'I (will)(am supposed to) meet Tom at 8:15.'strongly suggests that you will first (see)(meet) him at 8:15. Perhaps you will transfer some information or a package and you will then immediately separate, in which case your meeting will have been extremely brief.

2) 'I (will)(am supposed to) be meeting Tom at 8:15.' carries the possibility that your meeting could be a long one, for example lasting from 8 to 8:30.

So, the amount of time involved in the two sentences can be very different. That is the potential difference in meaning between "meet" and "be meeting".

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Very interesting comments! Thank you!

present simple OR present continuous

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