[Grammar] Let me talk about it ... and see what they think.

[kadioguy]

[From a TOEIC test]

[...]

Man: I guess it's a possibility, but the 200's seem to be doing the job just fine for us.

Woman: Well, the reason I ask is that for the next 90 days the Model 201 filters will be on sale for the same price as the Model 200's you're using now, so this would be a good time to change to the newer model.

Man: Hmm. Let me talk about it with our maintenance staff and see what they think.

[Source]
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1.
a. so this would be a good time to change ....

b. so this will be a good time to change ....

Why not (b)? (I think that it is certainly a good chance.) Does (a) and (b) both work and mean the same in this context?

2.
Why is it "see what they think" rather than "see what they will think"?

Is it because we often use the verb "think" with the present simple to indicate that someone has some opinions?

3.
I assume that in this context "see what they will think" is also OK, but less common than "see what they think". Is that right?

4.
However, for other verbs, for example "do":

(c) ... and see what they do.

(d) ... and see what they will do.

I think that sentence (d) is more common than sentence (c). Sentence (c) would mean that the speaker think that they always do things in some certain way. Is that right?

 

[kadioguy]

I have simplified the content in post #1. Could any members help with the questions?

 

[tedmc]

1.
a. so this would be a good time to change ....

b. so this will be a good time to change ....

Why not (b)? (I think that it is certainly a good chance.) Does (a) and (b) both work and mean the same in this context?

(a) is more natural and courteous. As a salesperson, you wouldn't like to sound pushy and cocksure about what you say.

2.
Why is it "see what they think" rather than "see what they will think"?

Is it because we often use the verb "think" with the present simple to indicate that someone has some opinions?

Again "will" implies certainty while the present simple indicates a general statement. It allows some leeway on what you say.

3.
I assume that in this context "see what they will think" is also OK, but less common than "see what they think". Is that right?

The latter is more natural. As I said before, use the simpest tense if it fits.

4.
However, for other verbs, for example "do":

(c) ... and see what they do.

(d) ... and see what they will do.

I think that sentence (d) is more common than sentence (c). Sentence (c) would mean that the speaker think that they always do things in some certain way. Is that right?

That depends on the context. You can't generalize and be presumptuous about how people would respond.

 

[kadioguy]

For questions (2), (3), and (4) I think what confuses me is that the action should happen later, that is, in the future. How could we just use the present simple rather than "will + verb" to indicate that?

 

[tedmc]

For questions (2), (3), and (4) I think what confuses me is that the action should happen later, that is, in the future. How could we just use the present simple rather than "will + verb" to indicate that?

See Use 2 and 3 here.

 

[kadioguy]

The simple present tense can be used for something that happens in the near future.
See Use 4 here.

Yeah, that is used with non-continuous verbs - that's why I asked question (2), (3), and (4). I think that "think" is a non-continuous verb while "do" isn't. So I said: (especially the blue text)

2.
Why is it "see what they think" rather than "see what they will think"?

Is it because we often use the verb "think" with the present simple to indicate that someone has some opinions?

3.
I assume that in this context "see what they will think" is also OK, but less common than "see what they think". Is that right?

4.
However, for other verbs, for example "do":

(c) ... and see what they do.

(d) ... and see what they will do.

I think that sentence (d) is more common than sentence (c). Sentence (c) would mean that the speaker think that they always do things in some certain way. Is that right?

[Cross-posted with tedmc]

 

[tedmc]

Oops, it should have been Use 2 and 3 in the link.

 

[kadioguy]

Oops, it should have been Use 2 and 3 in the link.

A. ... and see what they think.

B. ... and see what they will think.

C. ... and see what they do.

D. ... and see what they will do.

Which ones are natural?

I think that the four are more like the difference between non-continuous verbs and continuous verbs. :-?

 

[kadioguy]

A. I'll wait and see what they think.

B. I'll wait and see what they will think.

C. I'll wait and see what they do.

D. I'll wait and see what they will do.

Which ones are natural?
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A friend told me:

"A and C. The first parts of the sentences are already in the future tense, so by using "will" the second time you are talking about a future that happens after the first future.

See:
I'll wait and see what the they think. -- In the future, I will see what they think then.

I'll wait and see what the they will think. -- In the future, I will see what they will think even later.

An example where this might make more sense: I'll wait until I get the wedding invitation and find out when they'll get married."

I replied:

"How about these?

E. Let me wait and see what they think.

F. Let me wait and see what they will think.

There is no 'will' in the first parts."

Friend: "E sounds better to me. By saying 'let me' you're making a request for something to happen in the future. So it's the same idea."