"would + verb" vs. "would + be + verb-ing" for Future Events

Question

Hello.
I was wondering when I should use "would + verb" vs. "would + be + verb-ing" when describing future events.

ex)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would come to your party.
I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party.

If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would go to Mexico with us next month.
If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would be going to Mexico with us next month.

All of the main clauses in above sentences refer to unreal future conditions, yes?
Is there a difference in meaning?

Thank you

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hello, Optimus, and welcome to English Forums.

In this kind of structure, the continuous (be + -ing) form functions as a mood/opinion-communicating device rather than with a distinct meaning. Use of the continuous signals the speaker's heightened concern/interest in the topic, or heightened immediacy of the topic to him/her. Here, the continuous seems to indicate the speaker's stressed politeness (#1-- of course I would come) and sense of loss to Darren (if he just hadn't wasted his time, he would go).

Itsonlyme · Answer

Hi Optimus

I am in agreement with Mister Micawber when he says that the continuous stresses the speaker's stressed politeness.

Even though both are correct, the continuous not only stresses the politeness but also the time duration.

Yes, and they are both the Unreal Future Conditional statement
Learn on!

Optimus · Answer

Thank you both for the explanations.

It is my understanding that when present continuous is used for future events, it describes an action in the future that has already been planned or prepared.
Consider the following:
I will meet Jim at the airport tomorrow.
I'm meeting Jim at the airport tomorrow.

The former expresses facts or certainty, and the latter, plans or intentions.
I was wondering if this applies to "would + be + verb-ing" cases as well.
For instance, in the following sentences, does the former imply that "If Tom doesn't visit his grandmother, he will definitely help Cindy study," and the latter signify that it is just a plan?

If Tom were not visiting his grandmother tomorrow, he would help Cindy study.
If Tom were not visiting his grandmother tomorrow, he would be helping Cindy study.

I guess since they both concern imaginary situations in the first place, it would be absurd to talk about certainty in the future. But is there some truth in "would + be + verb-ing" being an indication of arrangements?

I'd appreciate your help.
Thank you

Mister Micawber · Answer

Even the differences in the declarative use are subtle, Optimus, and I personally would not like to lay that kind of fiat upon the would continuous.

If you look at all the future forms--

I will meet Jim at the airport tomorrow.
I'm meeting Jim at the airport tomorrow.
I'll be meeting Jim at the airport tomorrow
I'm going to meet Jim at the airport tomorrow
I'll meet Jim at the airport tomorrow
I'm to meet Jim at the airport tomorrow
I meet Jim at the airport tomorrow--

Have I missed any? Anyway if you try to assign certainty, plans, outward or inner forces or volitions, Acts of *** and other sources to the form of the statement of probable future, you'll have the makings of a thesis, but not a very clear picture of why native speakers blurt out the form they do. Yes, there are guidelines as observations of usage, but the overlap is awesome, I think.

CalifJim · Answer

... I was wondering if this applies to "would + be + verb-ing" cases as well... ...is there some truth in "would + be + verb-ing" being an indication of arrangements?

I'd say no. The use of the modal neutralizes all those subtle differences.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

I've been looking 4 the structure of such syntax

Mister Micawber · Answer

Structure = syntax.

I hope that helps.

Mizansinha007 · Answer

Sir, I have seen your another page that when we plan for future, that time we use
" I'm going to meet Jim at the airport tomorrow " and "I will meet with Jim at the airport"(If it is not planning, there is no certain time) and
also see that will is for assurance. Sir, now my question is that

Mister MicawberI will meet Jim at the airport tomorrow.

and

Mister MicawberI'm going to meet Jim at the airport tomorrow

Are these expression same? and

Mister MicawberI meet Jim at the airport tomorrow--

Sir, is it future tense? and can I make my sentence in this way?
and which one is more helpful if it is not planning :

Mister MicawberI meet Jim at the airport tomorrow--

or

Mister MicawberI will meet Jim at the airport tomorrow.

Is with correct or should be given up sir ? Thank you sir.

Mister Micawber · Answer

mizansinha007 I'm going to meet Jim at the airport tomorrow " and "I will meet with Jim at the airport"(If it is not planning, there is no certain time)

'Meet' and 'meet with' are often used synonymously, but 'with' generally indicates a lengthier meeting. 'With' is unrelated to the use of 'will' vs 'be going to' futures. Neither is the certainty or uncertainty of time. English has no 'future tense' in the sense of verb declension, but the following are all forms of future time reference:

I'm going to meet Jim
I will meet Jim
I meet Jim
I'm to meet Jim
I'm meeting Jim
I'll be meeting Jim

They all indicate the meeting of the speaker and Jim in the future, in various degrees of cause, intention and assuredness, most of which are rather subtle, overlap considerably, and are generally ignored by native speakers, at least consciously.

In the case of a present plan, 'be going to' is the most common choice outside formal texts.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Mister MicawberThey all indicate the meeting of the speaker and Jim in the future, in various degrees of cause, intention and assuredness, most of which are rather subtle, overlap considerably, and are generally ignored by native speakers, at least consciously.

I agree.

What follows is a rough and superficial guide to how many native speakers seem to use the forms. Remember Mr M's words - they overlap considerably.

I'm going to meet Jim. There is present evidence of the meeting. This 'evidence' may be simply the speaker's intention, or knowledge of an arrangement made,
I will meet Jim. The speaker may be indicating certainty, determination, or willingness.
I meet Jim. The speaker sees the meeting is seen as part of a fixed schedule.
I'm to meet Jim. Somebody has arranged/determined this.
I'm meeting Jim. The meeting has been arranged.
I'll be meeting Jim. This just happens to be the case.

"would + verb" vs. "would + be + verb-ing" for Future Events

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