Usage of "will" meaning habit-forming

Question

I learned that "will" , which often expresses future tense, can also mean a kind of current habit. However, then, I'm wondering what is the difference(s) between will and present form.

My grandfather will often go fishing on Sundays.

My grandfather often goes fishing on Sundays.

What's the difference(s), plz??

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

hachi8 I'm wondering what is the difference(s) between will and present form. My grandfather will often go fishing on Sundays. My grandfather often goes fishing on Sundays.

The 'present habit' is rarely used, and it still carries a tinge of the future.

Hachi8 · Answer

Thanks, Mister Micawber

So, I can use the present form instead of "will". That should be natural English

Mister Micawber · Answer

hachi8 the present form instead of "will". That should be natural English

Yes, that is much the usual.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Mister MicawberThe 'present habit' is rarely used, and it still carries a tinge of the future.

In my BrE dialect it is not that uncommon, and I detect no tinge of the future.

Mister Micawber · Answer

fivejedjon I detect no tinge of the future.

I suppose I didn't explain my feeling very well. If I hear that, it sounds indeed like a present habit, but one that is considered as of next Sunday.

Hmm. That doesn't sound quite right, either. Well anyway, it seems a mix of present and future when I hear it, particularly when juxtaposed to the straightforward 'My grandfather often goes fishing on Sundays.'

Usage of "will" meaning habit-forming

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