She'll be back in 5 minutes

Martin R.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

She'll be back in 5 minutes

OK so I selected "Elle va revenir dans cinq minutes" as in she is going to come back in 5 minutes.

However the correct answer was "Elle revient dans cinq minutes".

Are these not both correct, I mean apart from being word perfect?

Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The difference lies in the tenses used. In French, immediate Future actions are cast in present tense.  The future proche sounds a bit strange in this context (a bit like "she is going to be back in 5 minutes").

Max K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

IMO, the French try to simplify same as in any other language. The French like to avoid complicated verb structures as much as anyone else. 

Max K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

IMO, the French try to simplify same as in any other language. The French like to avoid complicated verb structures as much as anyone else. 

She'll be back in 5 minutes

OK so I selected "Elle va revenir dans cinq minutes" as in she is going to come back in 5 minutes.

However the correct answer was "Elle revient dans cinq minutes".

Are these not both correct, I mean apart from being word perfect?

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