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351 Views 1 Reply Latest reply: 31-Jan-2012 14:12 by Gandalf RSS
peaceandlove Newbie 9 posts since
12-Oct-2011
Currently Being Moderated

30-Jan-2012 15:02

Future?? or  Present??

I found a sentence in my grammar book.

Is there any difference between two sentences?

 

    Don't phone Ann now. She'll be busy now. 

 

Here is my concern; There are 'will' and 'now' in a sentence.

'will' is for the action in the future.

But in this case, it talk about present.

Is it the same as 'She is busy now.'

Can I say that in this situation?

 

Please tell me the reason.

 

Thank you for your time

  • Gandalf Newbie 1 posts since
    31-Jan-2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. 31-Jan-2012 14:12 (in response to peaceandlove)
    Future?? or Present??

    I think using "will" shows that the speaker is predicting or guessing that Ann is busy now. Probably the speaker knows Ann quite well and knows that this is the time of day (or day of the week, etc) that Ann is usually busy.

     

    Sometimes verb tenses don't really reflect the time period that is referred to.

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