Linguist Forum

Specializations => Morphosyntax => Topic started by: Natalia on July 08, 2015, 03:01:46 AM

Title: what happens vs. what will happen
Post by: Natalia on July 08, 2015, 03:01:46 AM

Hi, can you tell me which of the two sentences is correct, and why?
1) I'm curious to see what happens next.
2) I'm curious to see what will happen next.

Title: Re: what happens vs. what will happen
Post by: Daniel on July 08, 2015, 06:22:57 AM

It's just perspective on the situation. They're equivalent in most cases. (1) might be at a closer time, and (2) at a farther time.

(1) implies an ongoing story (maybe in a TV show-- "WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!?"-- it's already known, but not to the viewer)
(2) refers possibly more to the real, unknown future-- What will happen next?

But as I said, most of the time they're exactly equivalent. Do you have a particular context in mind that you'd like to ask about?

Title: Re: what happens vs. what will happen
Post by: Natalia on July 08, 2015, 06:54:42 AM

You already provided me with the context I was thinking of. So now everything is clear to me, thanks!