Unit 19. Present tenses (I am doing / I do) for the future.
Unit 19; Part A
![]() ![]() 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

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 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
![]() | 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.