[Grammar] Future simple vs progressive

[Waawe]

Hi.

This time next week, my dad will have an operation.

This time next week, my dad will be having an operation.

Are they both grammatical?


No context, part of a test.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, they're both grammatical but that is not the point because that is not what the test wants you to determine. I assume the person who wrote the test wants you to choose one of them.

 

[Waawe]

The instruction goes:

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentences:

1/ This time next week, my dad _____ (have) an operation.


Now, are there more correct answers? How many?

 

[emsr2d2]

They're both possible as is "will have had". It's a terrible test question if there's nothing else for you to base your answer on. Is the exercise supposed to be concentrating on one particular grammar aspect or verb tense?

 

[Waawe]

Nope, a revision test on something like 7 latest units where all future forms have been gone through.

 

[Phaedrus]

This time next week, my dad will have an operation.

This time next week, my dad will be having an operation.

The first sentence would be used in a context in which "this time next week" refers to a time when the operation will begin or will be about to begin.

The second sentence would be used in a context in which "this time next week" refers to a time when the operation will be in progress.

Suppose you know the songs that a radio station will play at certain times of the day, and you know they will start playing a four-minute song at one o'clock tomorrow.

If it is one right now (or even 12:58), you could say, "This time tomorrow, they will play that song." You could not say, "This time tomorrow, they will be playing that song."

If it is 1:02 right now, you could say, "This time tomorrow, they will be playing that song." You could not say, "This time tomorrow, they will play that song."

 

[Tdol]

And will have had would refer to the end of the operation at the time specified.