Would you tell me if there is a difference in meaning between I choose and I'll choose when making a decision in the process of speaking? For example:
Person A: We have two tablets of that brand. One with 3GB of RAM and one with 4GB of RAM.
Person B: I choose/I will choose the one with 4GB of RAM.
What English grammar books say is that the future simple can be used when someone makes an instantanous decision. But, I've also hear native speakers use the present simple in that sense, as in my example. Is there any difference between the two in the context? Are both natural? If so, do native speakers of English sense any difference between the two?
Best Answer
There's nothing wrong with using the future tense in OP's context - but it adds nothing, so most native speakers [will] stick with the the "default" position (prefer the simplest verb form that's grammatically and semantically valid for the context).
Obviously in this exact context the speaker is effectively making his choice as he speaks. There are some contexts where it's meaningful to say the choice really will be made later - for example, I'm not sure yet, but I think I will choose the 4Gb version. But other than that the choice is of no significance.
You might say I'm choosing a dress to wear to the party to refer to the "extended" activity (of "evaluating alternatives") that you're currently engaged in (with the implication I haven't yet made my final choice; the selection process is still ongoing). It would be a bit unusual to use the continuous in a "performative act" context (I'm choosing this dress, so can you tell me the price?).
TL;DR: Use the simplest verb form by default, and only consider alternatives in specific contexts where you know you have some reason for using a more complicated form.