Use the present continuous for future plans you have already arranged, and the present simple for timetables and programmes. Neither tense needs will to point at the future.
A Present continuous (I am doing) for arrangements
This is Jade's calendar for next week:
| Day | Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Monday evening | five-a-side football |
| Wednesday morning | optician, 9.30 |
| Saturday | lunch with Owen |
She's playing football on Monday evening. She's seeing the optician on Wednesday morning. She's having lunch with Owen on Saturday.
Jade has already decided and arranged all of these. That is what I'm doing something (tomorrow, next week) means: the decision is made and the arrangement is in place.
We do not normally use will for things we have already arranged.
We also use the present continuous for an action you are just about to start, especially with verbs of movement (go, come, leave).
- "What are you doing on Friday night?" "I'm going to a quiz at the Red Lion." (not What do you do / not I go)
- "What time is your brother getting here?" "About six. We're picking him up from the station."
- I'm not working on Monday, so we could go to the coast.
- Ellie isn't coming to netball next week. She's sprained her ankle.
- What are you doing this weekend? (not What will you do)
- Hamid is starting his new job next month. (not will start)
- Right, I'm off. I'm going home now. See you tomorrow. (not I go home)
- "Mum, are you ready?" "Yes, I'm coming!" (not I come)
B Present simple (I do) for timetables and programmes
Use the present simple for timetables and programmes: trains, buses, films, matches, term dates and so on.
You can also use it for people when their plans are fixed like a timetable. For other personal arrangements, the continuous is more usual.
| Present continuous (arrangement) | Present simple (timetable) |
|---|---|
| What time are you getting to Leeds? | What time does the coach get to Leeds? |
| We're going to the match on Saturday. | Kick-off is at three. |
For appointments, lessons and exams you can also say I have or I've got.
- I'd better go. My bus leaves in five minutes.
- What time does the film finish tonight?
- The parents' evening is at half six on Thursday.
- I start at the new school on Monday.
- What time do you finish your shift tomorrow?
- What time are you meeting your sister tomorrow? (not do you meet)
- I have a driving test next Tuesday. or I've got a driving test next Tuesday.
Exercises
19.1 Callum is going on holiday. Ask him about his plans, using the words in brackets. His answers are given.
(where / go?) Callum: "Cornwall."
Where are you going?
Where are you going? Cornwall.
(how long / go for?) Callum: "A week."
How long are you going for? A week.
(when / leave?) Callum: "On Saturday morning."
When are you leaving? On Saturday morning.
(go / alone?) Callum: "No, with my brother."
Are you going alone? No, with my brother.
(travel / by train?) Callum: "No, we're driving."
Are you travelling by train? No, we're driving.
(where / stay?) Callum: "In a caravan near Padstow."
Where are you staying? In a caravan near Padstow.
19.2 Complete the sentences, using the present continuous.
Ellie isn't playing (not / play) netball next week. She's sprained her ankle.
Ellie isn't playing netball next week. She's sprained her ankle.
(We / have) a barbecue on Sunday. We've asked the whole street.
We're having a barbecue on Sunday. We've asked the whole street.
(I / not / work) on Monday. It's a bank holiday.
I'm not working on Monday. It's a bank holiday.
(I / leave) now. I just popped in to say goodbye.
I'm leaving now. I just popped in to say goodbye.
"What time (you / go) out tonight?" "About eight."
"What time are you going out tonight?" "About eight."
(Ryan / not / come) to the meal tomorrow. He's got a stomach bug.
Ryan isn't coming to the meal tomorrow. He's got a stomach bug.
I adore Edinburgh. (I / go) back there in August.
I adore Edinburgh. I'm going back there in August.
Grace can't come to the quiz on Thursday. (She / work) a late shift.
Grace can't come to the quiz on Thursday. She's working a late shift.
19.3 Have you arranged to do anything at these times? Write sentences about yourself.
(this evening)
Example answer: I'm not doing anything this evening.
(tomorrow morning)
Example answer: I'm going to the gym tomorrow morning.
(tomorrow evening)
Example answer: I'm having dinner with my parents tomorrow evening.
(next Sunday)
Example answer: I'm visiting my grandma next Sunday.
(another day or time)
Example answer: I'm seeing the dentist on Friday afternoon.
19.4 Complete the conversations. Use the present continuous or the present simple.
"Dad, are you ready yet?" "Yes, I'm coming (I / come)."
"Dad, are you ready yet?" "Yes, I'm coming."
" (you / go) to Megan's leaving do on Friday?" "No, I'm working."
"Are you going to Megan's leaving do on Friday?" "No, I'm working."
"Has Liam started his new job yet?" "Not yet, but (he / start) soon. Probably at the beginning of next month."
"Has Liam started his new job yet?" "Not yet, but he's starting soon. Probably at the beginning of next month."
" (I / go) to the theatre tonight." "Lovely. What time (it / start)?"
"I'm going to the theatre tonight." "Lovely. What time does it start?"
"Have you heard from Becca lately?" "No, but (we / meet) for a coffee next week."
"Have you heard from Becca lately?" "No, but we're meeting for a coffee next week."
" (you / do) anything on Saturday afternoon?" "No, nothing. Why?"
"Are you doing anything on Saturday afternoon?" "No, nothing. Why?"
"When (the school holidays / start)?" "Next Wednesday. And the new term (begin) six weeks after that."
"When do the school holidays start?" "Next Wednesday. And the new term begins six weeks after that."
" (We / go) to a christening on Sunday." "Oh, really? Whose baby (they / christen)?"
"We're going to a christening on Sunday." "Oh, really? Whose baby are they christening?"
"The darts final is on telly tonight. (you / watch) it?" "No, it's not really my thing."
"The darts final is on telly tonight. Are you watching it?" "No, it's not really my thing."
"What time is your flight on Friday?" "It (leave) at 7.15 and (land) at 10.40."
"What time is your flight on Friday?" "It leaves at 7.15 and lands at 10.40."
"I'd love to see the dinosaur exhibition at the museum. How long is it on for?" " (It / close) on Sunday."
"I'd love to see the dinosaur exhibition at the museum. How long is it on for?" "It closes on Sunday."
"Do you need the lawnmower this weekend?" "No, you can borrow it. (I / not / use) it."
"Do you need the lawnmower this weekend?" "No, you can borrow it. I'm not using it."