simple future vs. simple progressive vs. future progressive for future events

Status
Not open for further replies.

donnach

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
What are the differences in meaning between the three following sentences:

The train leaves at 6:00.

The train is leaving at 6:00.

The train will be leaving at 6:00.

Thanks,

Donna
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
What are the differences in meaning between the three following sentences:

The train leaves at 6:00.

The train is leaving at 6:00.

The train will be leaving at 6:00.

Thanks,

Donna
They all mean the same, the train is going to leave at 6:00.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
In practical terms, without more context, there is little difference between your three and bhaisahab's fourth, or even The train will leave at 6.00. Some coursebooks and grammars try to make us to believe that there is a significant difference, and that in any given situation, only one way of expressing the future is 'correct'. This is simply not true.

If you want to learn more about possible differences between the various ways of expressing the future, try this:

http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/Future.pdf
 

donnach

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top