Unit 19. Present tenses (I am doing / I do) for the future.
Unit 19; Part A
 Present continuous (I am doing) with a future meaning This is Ben's diarv 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 Cathy arriving tomorrow? B: Half past ten. I'm meeting her at the station. • I'm not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere. • Ian 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 for arrangements. See also 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 youbegin to do it. This happens especially with verbs of movement (go/come/leave etc.): • I'm tired. I'm going to bed now. Goodnight. (not I go to bed now) • 'Tina, are you ready yet?' 'Yes, I'm coming.' (not I come) |
Unit 19; Part B
Present simple (I do) with a future meaningWe 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 begin 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 • What time are you arriving? • I'm going to the cinema this evening. | Present simple • What time does the train arrive? • The film begins at 8.15 (this evening). |
Exercises
 A friend of yours is planning to go on holidaysoon. You ask her about her plans. Use the words in brackets to makeyour questions.Key.2 How long are you going for? 3 When are you leaving? 4 Are you going alone? 5 Are you travelling by car? 6 Where are you staying?  |
Tom wants you to visit him, but you are verybusy. Look at your diary for the next few days and explain to him whyyou can't come.Key.2 I'm working late. / I'm working till 9 o'clock.
3 I'm going to the theatre.
4 I'm meeting Julia.
TOM: Can you come on Monday evening?YOU: Sorry, but I'm playing volleyball
TOM: What about Tuesday evening then?
YOU: No, not Tuesday. I _____________________
TOM: And Wednesday evening?
YOU: _____________________
TOM: Well, are you tree on Thursday?
YOU: I'm afraid not. _____________________
Put the verb into the more suitable form, present continuous or present simple.Key.3 're having / are having
4 finishes
5 'm not going / am not going ... 'm staying / am staying
6 Are you doing
7 're going / are going ... starts
8 'm leaving / am leaving
9 're meeting / are meeting
10 does this train get
11 'm going/ am going ... Are you coming
12 does it end
13 'm not using / am not using
14 's coming / is coming ... 's travelling / is travelling ... arrives
1 I 'm going (go) to the cinema this evening.
2 Does the film begin (the film / begin) at 3.30 or 4.30?
3 We __________________ (have) a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?
4 The art exhibition __________________ (finish) on 3 May.
5 I __________________ (not / go) out this evening. I __________________ (stay) at home.
6 '__________________ (you / do) anything tomorrow morning?' 'No, I'm free. Why?'
7 We __________________ (go) to a concert tonight. It __________________ (start) at 7.30.
8 I __________________ (leave) now. I've come to say goodbye.
9 A: Have you seen Liz recently?
B: No, but we __________________ (meet) for lunch next week.
10 You are on the train to London and you ask another passenger:
Excuse me. What time __________________ (this train / get) to London?
11 You are talking to Helen:
Helen. I __________________ (go) to the supermarket. __________________ (you / come) with me?
12 You and a friend are watching television. You say:
I'm bored with this programme. What time __________________ (it/end)?
13 I __________________ (not / use) the car this evening, so you can have it.
14 Sue __________________ (come) to see us tomorrow. She__________________ (travel) by train and her train __________________(arrive) at 10.15.
 | Unit 18 Unit 19 Unit 20 |  |
Собственная недвижимость в пригороде мегаполиса всегда была привлекательным капиталовложением. Участки в Подмосковье – это отличная возможность воплотить в жизнь свои мечты о собственном загородном доме.