Unit 4 Present tense (I am doing/ I do) with a Future Meaning

1. Present progressive 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.

When you are talking about what you have already arranged to do, use the present progressive (I am doing). Do not use the present simple (I do)

A: What are you doing tomorrow evening?
B: I’m going to the theatre.


A: Are you playing tennis tomorrow?
B: Yes, but Tom isn’t playing. He has hurt his leg.


A: Ann is coming tomorrow.
B: Oh, is she? What time is she arriving?
A: At 10.15.
B: Are you meeting her at the station?
A: I can’t. I’m working tomorrow morning.

It is also possible to use going to (do) in these sentences:

• What are you going to do tomorrow evening?
• Tom is going to play tennis on Monday afternoon.

But the present progressive is usually more natural when you are talking about arrangements.

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 ‘Alex will get’)

2. Present simple with a future meaning.
We use the present simple when we are talking about timetables, programmes, etc.
Exmple, for public transportation, cinemas:

• What time does the film begin?
• The train leaves Plymouth at 10.30 and arrives in London at 13.45.
• The football match starts at 8 o’clock.
• Tomorrow is Wednesday.

But we do not normally use the present simple for personal arrangements:
What time are you meeting Ann? (not ‘do you meet’)

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