Author Topic: With or without "Will"  (Read 10886 times)

English Maiden

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With or without "Will"
« on: November 24, 2011, 01:40:36 AM »
Hi, sir!

I wonder if there's any difference between the sentences for each set below:

Set 1
-I have to wake up early tomorrow for my job interview.
-I will (I'll) have to wake up early tomorrow for my job interview.
Set 2
-You have to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal.
-You will (You'll) have to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal.

Thanks in advance for your answer!

Joe Carillo

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Re: With or without "Will"
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2011, 12:28:09 PM »
Yes, there’s a significant semantic difference between the two sentences in each of the two sets of sentences you presented.

The first sentence in Set 1 above is a plain, matter-of-fact declaration of the speaker’s need to wake up early the next day for the purpose stated: “I have to wake up early tomorrow for my job interview.” The second sentence is an expression of the speaker’s resolve—in the face of a possible mild discomfort at the idea—to wake up early the next day for the purpose stated: “I will (I’ll) have to wake up early tomorrow for my job interview.”

In Set 2, the first sentence is a simple, matter-of-fact directive to the person addressed to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal: “You have to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal.” The second statement is a more forceful directive for the person addressed to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal: “You will (You’ll) have to meet with the board director to finalize the proposal.” It’s said more forcefully probably because the person addressed has expressed hesitance or objection to the idea or because the speaker wants the emphasize to the person addressed the importance of doing the given task.