Zhan
when you ARE or WILL BE free Hello there! Have a good day wherever you are!

Could you tell me what sounds more natural?

"Can you tell me when you ARE or when you WILL BE free"? 

I told my friend I'm going to be busy until 3p.m. 

I've Read some information about it: 1 if somebody means "what time exactly"- then we shoukd say "when YOU WILL BE".  2 if I can text my friend just after I GET free I can use "when you ARE". 

Thanks for your help in advance)
If it is possible, could you give more examples with 'when- sentences'


19 de jan de 2019 04:35
Comentários · 2
3
Both ways are correct and natural, but the meanings are different.

"Can you tell me when you ARE free?” Means that in the future, when they are free, they will then tell you (something). (We use the present to refer to the future because this is a type of first conditional.) Sample answer: “Yes. When I’m free, I’ll send you an SMS to let you know.”

"Can you tell me when you WILL BE free?” Means that they should tell you something NOW — specifically, they should tell you the future time when they expect to be free. (This is a sort of indirect question. You could simply say “When will you be free?”) Sample answer: “Yes. I’ll be free at 5:30 p.m.”

Edit: I had forgotten to erase the unwanted "are or" from the second paragraph.
19 de janeiro de 2019
1

In New Zealand the usage is much the same as Phil commented."When will you be free" is asking for an instant answer.

"When you are free" is asking them to notify you when they are free.

"When you have a free moment please let me know' = Are

'When can we arrange the dinner' = will be

"When are you free to take the dog for a walk"= will be

"Tomorrow when do you want to do the housework"= will be

"Let me know when you are free tomorrow to catch up"=Are


19 de janeiro de 2019