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Future Continuous Polite Questions

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Exercise 1 — Polite vs direct: choose the more natural question

In each situation, choose the more natural question. Sometimes the polite Future Continuous question is better; sometimes the direct form is fine. Read the context carefully.

Set:

You want to borrow a colleague's pen without putting pressure. Which is more polite?

Will you be using your pen this afternoon?Will you use your pen this afternoon?Do you use your pen?Are you using your pen?

A friend asks you directly about your weekend trip. The direct question is fine here.

Will you be driving to the coast?Will you drive to the coast?Are you driving to the coast?Do you drive to the coast?

A manager asks an employee in a meeting context: which is the most tactful question?

Are you finishing the report today?Do you finish the report today?Will you be finishing the report today?Have you finished the report?

You need to use the meeting room at 2 PM. You check with a colleague — politely.

Do you need the meeting room?Will you be needing the meeting room at 2?Will you need the meeting room?Are you using the meeting room?

You're making emergency plans with a friend — speed matters, polite tone is less important.

Will you be helping me move this weekend?Will you help me move this weekend?Are you going to help me move?Can you help me move?

A hotel receptionist politely checks on guests' dinner plans.

Do you eat in the restaurant tonight?Will you eat in the restaurant tonight?Will you be dining with us tonight?Are you dining in the restaurant?

Your flatmate wants to know your schedule — casual conversation.

Will you be coming home for dinner?Will you come home for dinner?Are you coming home for dinner?Do you come home for dinner?

An assistant checks with a VIP client whether they'll need the car tomorrow — very politely.

Will you need the car tomorrow?Are you using the car tomorrow?Do you use the car tomorrow?Will you be needing the car tomorrow?

A colleague asks in passing if you'll attend a quick team lunch. Casual tone is fine.

Will you be attending the team lunch?Will you attend the team lunch?Are you coming to the team lunch?Do you come to the team lunch?

You're a guest and want to know if your host needs help preparing dinner — politely.

Do you need help cooking dinner?Are you cooking dinner alone?Will you be needing any help with dinner?Will you cook dinner?