Use am/is/are + -ing for plans you have already arranged, and the present simple for timetables.
A Now and the future
You already know am/is/are + -ing (the present continuous) for something happening now.
We also use am/is/are + -ing for the future: tomorrow, next week, on Saturday and so on. The form is exactly the same. The time words tell you when.
| Now | Future |
|---|---|
| They**'re playing** football (now). | Dan is playing football tomorrow. |
- "Where's Priya?" "She's having a shower."
- Turn the radio down, please. I'm studying.
- Dan is playing football tomorrow.
- I'm not working on Saturday.
B I am doing something tomorrow: you have arranged it
I am doing something tomorrow means that I have arranged it. It is in the diary. I have a plan, and probably a booking.
You can also say I am going to do something (Unit 26).
- Megan is going to the dentist on Thursday. (She has an appointment.)
- We're having a barbecue on Sunday.
- Are you meeting your sister after work?
- What are you doing on Friday night?
- I'm not going out this evening. I'm staying in with a pizza.
C Plans or timetables?
Do not use the present simple (I stay, do you go etc.) for plans and arrangements.
- I'm staying in tonight. (not 'I stay')
- Are you going to the match? (not 'Do you go')
Use the present simple for timetables and programmes: trains, buses, films, classes. These happen at a fixed time whether you are ready or not.
| Present continuous: usually people | Present simple: timetables, programmes |
|---|---|
| I'm going to a gig on Friday. | The gig starts at eight. |
| What time are you leaving? | What time does your bus leave? |
- Liam isn't coming to the barbecue on Sunday. (not 'Liam doesn't come')
- The last bus to Leeds leaves at 11.15.
- What time does the match start?
Exercises
25.1 Look at each person's diary. What are they doing next Saturday?
Callum's diary for Saturday says 'swimming, 10 a.m.'.
Callum's going swimming on Saturday.
Callum's going swimming on Saturday.
Hannah's diary for Saturday says 'theatre with Mum'.
Hannah to the theatre.
Hannah's going to the theatre.
Owen's diary for Saturday says 'paint the kitchen'.
Owen .
Owen's painting the kitchen.
Zara's diary for Saturday says 'breakfast with Gemma'.
breakfast with Gemma.
Zara's having breakfast with Gemma.
Jack and Amy's shared diary for Saturday says 'Rachel's wedding'.
.
Jack and Amy are going to Rachel's wedding.
25.2 Write questions about the future, using the words in brackets.
(you / do / anything / at the weekend?)
Are you doing anything at the weekend?
Are you doing anything at the weekend?
(you / go / to Ben's party / on Saturday?)
Are you going to Ben's party on Saturday?
(where / you / have / lunch / tomorrow?)
Where are you having lunch tomorrow?
(what time / your parents / come?)
What time are your parents coming?
(when / Sophie / start / her new job?)
When is Sophie starting her new job?
25.3 Write sentences about yourself. What are you doing in the next few days?
Your plan for tonight.
Example answer: I'm watching the football at my brother's tonight.
Your plan for tomorrow.
Example answer: I'm visiting my grandmother tomorrow.
Another plan for the next few days.
Example answer: I'm meeting a friend for coffee on Wednesday.
Another plan for the next few days.
Example answer: I'm having my hair cut on Thursday.
Another plan for the next few days.
Example answer: I'm not working on Friday.
Another plan for the next few days.
Example answer: I'm going to a concert on Saturday.
25.4 Put the verb into the present continuous (he is leaving etc.) or the present simple (the train leaves etc.).
"Are you going (you / go) to the gym later?" "No, my legs still hurt from yesterday."
"Are you going to the gym later?" "No, my legs still hurt from yesterday."
We're going (we / go) to the cinema tonight. The film starts (the film / start) at 8.15.
We're going to the cinema tonight. The film starts at 8.15.
Have you heard about Tom? (he / move) to Cardiff next month!
Have you heard about Tom? He's moving to Cardiff next month!
A: My cousins (come) to stay next weekend. B: Oh, lovely. How long (they / stay)?
A: My cousins are coming to stay next weekend. B: Oh, lovely. How long are they staying?
Kate is doing a cookery course this term. The course (finish) in December.
Kate is doing a cookery course this term. The course finishes in December.
There's a quiz at the pub tonight, but (I / not / go). I'm too tired.
There's a quiz at the pub tonight, but I'm not going. I'm too tired.
(I / have) dinner with Sam on Friday. (you / come) too?
I'm having dinner with Sam on Friday. Are you coming too?
A: How (you / get) to the airport tomorrow? A taxi? B: No, the train. The first train (leave) at 5.40.
A: How are you getting to the airport tomorrow? A taxi? B: No, the train. The first train leaves at 5.40.
A: Shall we go to the match on Saturday? B: Yes, what time (it / start)?
A: Shall we go to the match on Saturday? B: Yes, what time does it start?
A: What (you / do) on Sunday morning? B: (I / play) golf with my dad.
A: What are you doing on Sunday morning? B: I'm playing golf with my dad.