[Grammar] Simple Present

[The French]

Hi all,

I believe the following question I am going to ask you seems a bit easy maybe stupid, but English people often use the future tense when they talk in the present time.

One example it's better than a big speech. Two persons are in the kitchen and one of them is hungry and the other propose to make a sandwich, and say: Are you hungry, the anwser is yes and the person say; I'll make you a sandwich.

I do not understand why we use the future form in this context.

Thanks for all your replies.

 

[Allen165]

Hi all,

I believe the following question I am going to ask you seems a bit easy maybe stupid, but English people often use the future tense when they talk in the present time.

One example it's better than a big speech. Two persons are in the kitchen and one of them is hungry and the other propose to make a sandwich, and say: Are you hungry, the anwser is yes and the person say; I'll make you a sandwich.

I do not understand why we use the future form in this context.

Thanks for all your replies.

Because the making of the sandwich has yet to take place. The sandwich is not being made; it will be made.

Not a teacher.

 

[Allen165]

Would it be wrong to say "Je te ferai un sandwich" in French in such a situation?

 

[richuk]

Not a teacher.
I’ll (I will) is normal here as the person has not yet made the sandwich (if they had it would be past tense) or is not currently making the sandwich (present) so as they are going to make the sandwich in the future (even though it is very soon) is still the future so I think 'I'll' is used correctly.

 

[The French]

Not a teacher.
I’ll (I will) is normal here as the person has not yet made the sandwich (past tense) or is not currently making the sandwich (present) so as they are going to make the sandwich in the future (even though it is very soon) is still the future so I think 'I'll' is used correctly.

Hello,

I understand well your explanation, but nonetheless when you make a sandwich three day after for example or more late in the day, how do do you say that?

If I write a sentence like that : I will make you a sandwich. How can we able to find if this action is happening right now or implies an act who take place more late in the day.

Do you follow my mind I believe it is not very clear.

Thanks

 

[richuk]

Hello,

I understand well your explanation, but nonetheless when you make a sandwich three day after for example or more late in the day, how do do you say that?

If I write a sentence like that : I will make you a sandwich. How can we able to find if this action is happening right now or implies an act who take place more late in the day.

Do you follow my mind I believe it is not very clear.

Thanks

Not a teacher.

I will make you a sandwich (future – you will make a sandwich in the future, we assume soon but no time scale has been mentioned).

I am making you a sandwich (present – you are currently making it)

I have made you a sandwich (past – you have made it in the past but again no time scale is mentioned as to how long ago you have made it).

Is this ok?

 

[kfredson]

Hello,

I understand well your explanation, but nonetheless when you make a sandwich three day after for example or more late in the day, how do do you say that?

If I write a sentence like that : I will make you a sandwich. How can we able to find if this action is happening right now or implies an act who take place more late in the day.

Do you follow my mind I believe it is not very clear.

Thanks

The only possible response, as I see it, would be to modify the sentence. "I'll make you a sandwich right away," or, "I'll make you a sandwich, but you'll have to wait until supper time." I don't believe that there is a verb that by itself will make the difference clear.

 

[bds51]

Dear The French,
To answer your question directly "I don't understand why we use the future in this context": unlike French, English has 4 different ways to express the future in at least 6 different contexts. Your question relates to spontaneous (unplanned) decisions, or instant reactions, or offers of help or decisions made while speaking, and in these cases we use 'will'.