Doubt about tense

[Humble]

Thank you very much indeed, Rewboss.

[dinha]

Thank you so much !! I really appreciate your help !!!

[dinha]

Originally Posted by Coffa

Will take? The journey has not happened yet, after all.

I think it's a tough question. My opinion is that it depends upon whether the clause is independent or not

1. "I can't wait to see <independent object clause>.
2. "I can't wait to see where/what/who <dependent object clause>

Compare Old English:

a) I know not if fortune shall make me a beggar or a prince.
b) I know not where I'm bound.

In 1), nothing after the primary clause is related to the object clause, so it must stand alone, and takes its tense accordingly: "where this journey WILL take me..."

In 2), the object clause is dependent on the primary clause, and takes its tense from that clause.

thanks bunch !!!!!!!!!!!

[dinha]

Hi again !!! can i understand by the sentence " I can´t wait to see where this journey takes me "" and the definition of simple present used as future that The speaker has already lets say bought the ticket and is on the way to go on the journey?

Thanks

[dinha]

Originally Posted by rewboss

Yep. "Will" here is perfectly acceptable.

"Will" indicates a prediction. On the other hand, the simple present tense, when referring to a future event, indicates that the future event is certain, but that no special planning on the part of either the speaker or the subject was necessary. Both are possible here, but "will" allows for the possibility that the end of the journey may not actually be reached.

English doesn't have a proper future tense; instead, it uses a system of modal verbs and aspects in the present tense:

simple present -- the event is definite, and neither the speaker nor the subject have made any special arrangements to make it happen: The train arrives at 2.30 tomorrow; The shops are closed next Wednesday.

present progressive -- the event is definite, all the arrangements have been made: We are flying to Corfu next summer.

going to -- the decision has been made, but so far no arrangements have been made, or special arrangements are unnecessary: I am going to phone her tomorrow. This construction can also be used for events that are about to happen very, very soon: He's standing too close to the edge -- he's going to fall.

will/may/might -- The speaker is making a prediction. "Will" means the speaker is certain, "may" or "might" means there is some doubt: It will rain tomorrow (I am sure of it); I may buy a new car tomorrow (but I may not).

will -- The speaker is making a decision at the moment of speaking: I've just remembered -- it's Harry's birthday today! I'll phone him.

Can i understand the sentence " I can´t wait to see where this journey takes me" by the definition of the simple present used for future that the speaker is already on the way? already bought the ticket to come and he is coming now?

Thanks

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by dinha

Hi again !!! can i understand by the sentence " I can´t wait to see where this journey takes me "" and the definition of simple present used as future that The speaker has already lets say bought the ticket and is on the way to go on the journey?

Thanks

Yes. The speaker has probably already bought the ticket and is on his/her way. He may even already be on the train, plane or bus. For example, I may be on a plane to London and say to my seatmate, "I can wait to see where this journey takes me." That is because I will be expecting to see a lot of new things. The prospect of encountering all those new things will, no doubt, be exciting to me.

(Say: "Can I understand....")

[dinha]

Thank you so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!