will/will be attend[ing]

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New2grammar  #369324  Wed, 23 May 07 01:29 PM

I feel there is a difference between "I'll attend the training" and "I'll be attending the training". Could you please help me to differentiate them? And when to use which?

Thanks in advance

  
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Tidus  #369432  Wed, 23 May 07 06:12 PM

Yes, there's a slight difference.

"I'll attend the training" is confirming that you will attend the training.

"I'll be attending the training" would be used in a situation after you've confirmed that you'll attend the training.

For example, if you had the choice of attending training on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, you might pick Wednesday and say "I'll attend the training on Wednesday".  Then, if someone else asks which day you've picked, you would say "I'll be attending the training on Wednesday"

Does that help?

  
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CalifJim  #369440  Wed, 23 May 07 06:35 PM
As Tidus says, the first (I'll attend) is more like a promise to do something; the second (I'll be attending) is more like a description of something you know is going to happen.

CJ

  
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New2grammar  #369446  Wed, 23 May 07 06:46 PM

I think it is like "She'll throw a party tonight" versus "She's throwing a party tonight". I can feel the difference in this context but not the one you explained, though I sort of understand what you said. So, can I relate the difference in this context to the one you just explained?

  
CalifJim  #369449  Wed, 23 May 07 07:01 PM
You've changed the comparison.
In the first post it was I'll vs. I'll be ---ing.

In the next post it's
She'll vs. She's ---ing

Did you intend to change the comparison?

In any case:

I'll be attending.  (In my mind I can already see myself there.)
She'll be throwing a party.  (In my mind I can already see her preparing for the party, greeting the guests, etc.)

I'm attending.  (I have already scheduled myself to attend.)
She's throwing a party.  (She has already decided to throw a party and has told people about it.)

I'll attend.  (Since this is first person (I), it is like making a promise to attend.  If I don't attend after saying this, I have broken a promise.)
She'll throw a party.  (This may vary in meaning according to context.  We may be speculating on what she will do in the current situation.  Will she throw a party?  I don't know.  I think she may not have time to throw a party.  Or, maybe she does have time.  If she has time, she'll throw a party. -- Often there are unstated conditions behind a will statement.)

CJ

  
New2grammar  #369458  Wed, 23 May 07 07:18 PM

Thanks Tidus and CalifJim for your replies. Yes. I did intentionally change the comparison because I thought they were the same. Now after reading your reply, I found out they are very different. It's much clearer now at least in these 2 contexts. Feel really great that I've learned something new today! Smile [:)] . Actually every day, I learn something new from this forum. I really really appreciate those of you who have volunteered to help us!

  
Marius Hancu  #369490  Wed, 23 May 07 08:46 PM
The progressive form in this case expresses much more specificity, detail than the other.

As to what kind of detail, see the postings in the aboveSmile [:)]
  
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Tidus  #369529  Wed, 23 May 07 11:33 PM

 CalifJim wrote:
the first (I'll attend) is more like a promise to do something; the second (I'll be attending) is more like a description of something you know is going to happen.

CJ

Nicely put!  Cool [H]

  
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