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Present tenses

A

Present continuous (I am doing) with a future meaning

This is Ben's diary for next week.

He is playing tennis on Monday afternoon.
He is going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.
He is having dinner with Kate on Friday.

In all these examples, Ben has already decided and arranged to do these things.

I'm doing something (tomorrow) = I have already decided and arranged to do it:
  • A: What are you doing on Saturday evening? (not What do you do)
    B: I'm going to the theatre. (not I go)
  • A: What time is Katherine arriving tomorrow?
    B: Half past ten. I'm meeting her at the station.
  • I'm not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
  • Steve isn't playing football next Saturday. He's hurt his leg.

'I'm going to (do)' is also possible in these sentences:
  • What are you going to do on Saturday evening?

But the present continuous is more natural when we talk about arrangements. See Unit 20B

Do not use will to talk about what you have arranged to do:
  • What are you doing this evening? (not What will you do)
  • Alex is getting married next month. (not will get)

You can also use the present continuous for an action just before you begin to do it. This happens especially with verbs of movement (go/come/leave etc.):
  • I'm tired. I'm going to bed now. Good night. (not I go to bed now)
  • 'Jess, are you ready yet?' 'Yes, I'm coming.' (not I come)
B

Present simple (I do) with a future meaning

We use the present simple when we talk about timetables, programmes etc. (for public transport, cinemas etc.):
  • My train leaves at 11.30, so I need to be at the station by 11.15.
  • What time does the film start this evening?
  • It's Wednesday tomorrow. / Tomorrow is Wednesday.

You can use the present simple to talk about people if their plans are fixed like a timetable:
  • I start my new job on Monday.
  • What time do you finish work tomorrow?

But the continuous is more usual for personal arrangements:
  • What time are you meeting Ann tomorrow? (not do you meet)

Compare:

Present continuous Present simple
- What time are you arriving? - What time does the train arrive?
- I'm going to the cinema this evening. - The film starts at 8.1 5 (this evening).
Exercises - 19.1


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