Why do your posts disappear after they are answered?

[Mister Micawber]

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I might as well weigh in here, as it is an interesting question. It's not easy, and I really cannot take sides, since I am of two minds myself (or maybe, each mind could take a side).

What I think is that simple present sentences #9 and #10 do sound quite odd and out-of-place when written out in sequence as they are, but that within a weather reporter's monologue, they would be natural options to the will- future. A lot depends on the context-- 'of course' suggests that the weather has been consistent and expected, and yay! for simple present; on the other hand, the first sentence ('things will improve') indicates a change in the weather, and yay! for will- (or going to-) future.

I haven't seen the original test, but if the student is tested on those verb forms, woe is s/he.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Alan]

Hi,

For the record our testee doesn't have to feel too woebegone because they have a choice of words rather than a choice of tenses.

A
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English as a Second Language
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[Alan]

Hi,

One last effort:

Tomorrow it will rain, of that I can be sure, but never mind the sun comes out at the end of the day and so all is not lost, the birds sing and window cleaners get on with their work and everyone knows that all these things follow although the sentence starts with a future verb form. Believe me.

A
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English as a Foreign Language
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[Tamara]

Hi, Teachers

If I’m allowed to say my little learner’s word, I’d draw your attention to the fact that this is the test for Elementary level.
Can you imagine yourself at the level? I still easily can

I’m aware that the American-style forecast is normally done with the Future tense, whereas some British forecasts also allow using the Present one(s)...
but, even more simply, to me, soon appeals to will, except for the cases of those special narratives that are done – entirely - in the Present tense.
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[Yankee]

Hi Alan

Yes, I know and use the simple present like that, too. It's just that the test sentence doesn't work for me at all in the context that's given.

But, ultimately the reason this whole conversation got started was the fact that a test taker asked a question specifically about the word "disappears" and the question was deleted. I hope he or she has now found all the explanations for using "will disappear" vs. "disappears".

Amy

[Yankee]

[Conchita]