ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Will you be coming...(request)

Grammar Geek — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:35:59 GMT

Perhaps JiE meant a request for information? Can I expect you, versus Would you like to come?

Re: Will you be coming...(request)

CalifJim — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:38:57 GMT

I don't see a great deal of difference between a request and an invitation -- none that could be communicated entirely by a modal verb, at least. The difference seems to lie in what you expect the addressee to do.

Request:

[Can/Could] you please come to my party tonight? I need someone to help me set up the sound system.

Invitation:

I'm having a party tonight, and [I'd / I would] like (to invite) you to come. I hope you can [come / make it].

Re: Will you be coming...(request)

Kooyeen — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:27:46 GMT

I would say one of these:
Are you coming tonight?
Will you come tonight?
Are you gonna come tonight?
But not the one with the future continuous... "Will you be coming tonight?" Maybe it's just me though. I can't be sure.

Re: Will you be coming...(request)

Awence — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:24:02 GMT

I thought future continuous tense, will be coming is used to express something that is almost a routine (or can be anticipated). How about, " Would you?"

Will you be coming...(request)

Jesusengland — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:09:58 GMT

Hello.

To distinguish between a request and an invitation is it correct to say ?

- Will you be coming to the party tonight? (request) (instead of "Will you come to the party tonight?")

Thanks