A. Present continuous J am doing) with a future meaning
Study
this example situation:
This is
Tom's diary for next week.
He is
playing tennis on Monday afternoon.
He is
going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.
He is
having dinner with Ann on Friday.
In all
these examples, Tom has already decided and arranged to do these things.
Use the
present continuous to say what you have already arranged to do. Do not use the
present simple J do):
* 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: At
10.30. I'm meeting her at the station.
* I'm
not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.
* Ian
isn't playing football on 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')
B.
Present simple (I do) with a future meaning
We use
the present simple when we talk about timetables, programmes etc. (for example,
for public transport, cinemas etc.):
* The
train leaves Plymouth at 11.30 and arrives in London at 14.45.
* What
time does the film begin?
* It's
Wednesday tomorrow.
You can
use the present simple for 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:
* 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).
EXERCISES
19.1 A
friend of yours is planning to go on holiday soon. You ask her about her plans.
Use the words in brackets to make your questions.
1.
(where/go?) Where are you going? Scotland.
2. (how
long/stay?) Ten days.
3.
(when/go?) Next Friday.
4.
(go/alone?) No, with a friend of mine.
5.
(travel/by car?) No, by train.
6.
(where/stay?) In a hotel.
19.2 Tom
wants you to visit him but you are very busy. Look at your diary for the next
few days and explain to him why you can't come.
TOM: Can
you come on Monday evening?
You: Sorry
but I'm playing volleyball. (1)
TOM:
What about Tuesday evening then?
You: No,
not Tuesday I --- (2)
TOM: And
Wednesday evening?
YOU: ---
(3)
TOM:
Well, are you free on Thursday?
YOU: I'm
afraid not. --- (4)
19.3
Have you arranged to do anything at these times? Write (true) sentences about
yourself.
1. (this
evening) I'm going out this evening. or I'm not doing anything this evening. or
I don't know what I'm doing this evening.
2.
(tomorrow morning) I ---
3.
(tomorrow evening)
4. (next
Sunday)
5.
(choose another day or time)
19.4 Put
the verb into the more suitable form, present continuous or present simple.
1. I'm
going (go) to the theatre 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 --- (open) on 3 May and --- (finish) on 15 July.
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 --- (begin) at 7.30.
8. You
are on the train to London and you ask another passenger:
Excuse
me. What time --- (this train/get) to London?
9. You
are talking to Ann:
Ann, I
--- (go) to town. --- (you/come) with me?
10. Sue
--- (come) to see us tomorrow. She --- (travel) by train and her train ---
(arrive) at 10.15. I --- (meet) her at the station.
11. I
--- (not/use) the car this evening, so you can have it.
12. You
and a friend are watching television. You say:
I'm
bored with this programme. When --- (it/finish)?
the answer
19.1
2 How
long are you staying?
3 When
are you going?
4 Are
you going alone?
5 Are
you travelling by car?
6 Where
are you staying?
19.2
2 am
working late/'m working late or ... working till 9 o'clock
3 I'm
going to the theatre (with my mother)
4 I'm
meeting Julia
19.3
Example answers:
2 I'm
going to work tomorrow morning.
3 I'm
not doing anything tomorrow evening.
4 I'm
playing football next Sunday.
5 I'm
going to a party this evening.
19.4
3 are
having/'re having
4 opens
... finishes
5 am not
going/'m not going ... am staying/'m
staying
6 Are
you doing
7 are
going/'re going ... begins
8 does
this train get
9 am
going /'m going ... Are you coming
10 is
coming ... is travelling/'s travelling ... arrives ... am meeting/'m meeting
11 am
not using/'m not using
12 does
it finish
