Present tenses for the future

Question 1

Present Continuous:

am / is / are +Ving

is used to say what you have already arranged to do (100%).

Answer 1

A: What are you doing on Saturday evening?
B: I’m going to the theatre. (100%)

A: What time is Cathy arriving tomorrow?
B: At 10.30. I’m meeting her at the station.

A: I’m not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
B: Ian isn’t playing football on Saturday .He’s hurt his leg.

Question 2

Do not use “will” to talk about what you have arranged to do

Answer 2

What are you doing this evening?

Alex is getting married next month.

Question 3

Present Simple

Subject+Verb(s)

We use the present simple when we talk about timetables, programmes etc. (for example, for public transport, cinemas etc.)

Answer 3

The train leaves Plymouth at 11.30 and arrives in London at 14.45.

What time does the film begin?

Question 4

You can use the present simple for people

Answer 4

I start my new job on Monday.

What time do you finish work tomorrow?

Question 5

But the continuous is more usual for personal arrangements

Answer 5

What time are you meeting Ann tomorrow?

Question 6

Compare:

Answer 6

What time are you leaving tomorrow?
but
What time does the train leave tomorrow?

I’m going to the cinema this evening.
but
The film starts at 8.15 this evening.

Question 7

present simple or present continuous?

I … (go) to the theatre this evening.

Answer 7

I’m going to the theatre this evening.

Question 8

… (the film / begin) at 3.30 or 4.30?

Answer 8

Does the film begin …?

Question 9

We … (have) a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?

Answer 9

We’re having … .

Question 10

The art exhibition … (open) on 3 May and … (finish) on 15 July.

Answer 10

The art exhibition opens on 3 May and finishes on 15 July.

Question 11

I … (not / go) out this evening. I … (stay) at home.

Answer 11

I’m not going out this evening. I am staying at home.

Question 12

‘… (you/do) anything tomorrow morning?’

‘No, I’m free. Why?’

Answer 12

Are you doing anything tomorrow morning?

Question 13

We … (go) to a concert tonight. It … (begin) at 7.30.

Answer 13

We’re going to a concert tonight. It begins at 7.30.

Question 14

You are on the train to London and you ask another passenger:

Excuse me. What time .. …( this train / get) to London?

Answer 14

What time does this train…?

Question 15

You are talking to Ann:

Ann, I … (go) to town. … (you/come) with me?

Answer 15

Ann, I am going to town. Are you coming with me?

Question 16

Sue … (come) to see us tomorrow. She … (travel) by train and her train … (arrive) at 10.15. I … (meet) her at the station.

Answer 16

Sue is coming to see us tomorrow. She travelling by train and her train arrives at 10.15. I’m meeting her at the station.

Question 17

I … (not/use) the car this evening, so you can have it.

Answer 17

I’m not using … .

Question 18

You and a friend are watching TV. You say:

I’m bored with this programme. When … (it/finish)?

Answer 18

When does it finish?

Question 19

Hare you arranged to do anything at these times? Make true sentences about yourself.

• this evening
• tomorrow morning
• tomorrow evening
• on Sunday
• choose another day or time

Answer 19

e.g. I am going out this evening.