PRESENT CONTINOUO FOR FUTURE

Talking About The Future In English

Many students use only will or going to in order to talk about the future. However, it’s very common to use the present continuous to talk about the future, in the case of arrangements that are planned:

+   I’m having dinner with friends tonight.
+   She’s meeting David at the train station tomorrow.

–   He isn’t coming to the party.
–   We aren’t seeing our family this weekend.

?   What are you doing on Saturday?
?   Is Mary arriving at 7:00 or 8:00 tomorrow morning?

You can use the present continuous for future plans with these words:

• tonight, tomorrow, this weekend
• next week/month/year
• this summer/fall/winter/spring
• on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/etc.
• next Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/etc.

• Present continuous for future arrangements

Present continuous for future arrangements 

English speakers often use the present continuous tense (subject + 'be' = verb-ing) to talk about future arrangements. A future arrangementis a plan that you have decided and organised with another person. I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad. We're meeting Susan at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Sometimes the arrangement is between a person and a group of people, or an organisation or company: I'm working over the New Year. (this arrangement is between Alice and her employer) They are flying to New York tomorrow morning. (they have made this arrangement with the airline) It is not always necessary to state who the arrangement is with. For example, Tim says: So what are we all doing at Christmas? I'm popping over to Poland for a few days. I'm looking forward to a nice cosy Christmas. Alice and Helen understand that Tim is talking about arrangements, even though he does not say who the arrangements are with.

Present continuous for things which you are about to start doing 

English speakers often use the present continuous tense to talk about things they are about to start doing. This is especially common with verbs of movement, such as go, come, leave etc. I'm going to bed now - goodnight. Will you help me finish the housework? - Sorry, I can't: I'm leaving for work now.

Time expressions 

Time expressions are often (but not always) used when present continuous is used to talk about future arrangements. I'm working over the New Year. They are flying to New York tomorrow morning. So what are we all doing at Christmas? I'm popping over to Poland for a few days. I'm going to bed now. Present continuous for future use  1. I _________ (go) to the supermarket tomorrow.  2. My sister _________ (give) me her car when she gets her new one. 3. We _________ (have) a barbecue on Sunday.  4. All my friends _________ (come) to my party next week. 5. We _________ (take) my niece to Aquapark later today. 6. The train _________ (leave) in ten minutes.  7. We _________ (go) to the zoo tomorrow.  8. On Friday I _________ (go) to Rob´s party.  9. My teacher _________ (go) to school tomorrow.  10. Rhonda _________ (stay in) on Friday.  11. Bill _________ (go) to the cinema at the weekend.  12. _________ Susan _________ (work) this week?  13. _________ your English _________ (get) better?  14. I _________ (see) the manager tomorrow.  15. He _________ (play) tennis this afternoon.  16. Sue _________ (come) to see us tomorrow.  17. I _________ (go) to the theatre this evening.  18. At what time _________ Katy _________ (arrive) tomorrow.  19. I _________ (not work) this evening.  20. I _________ (not use) the car this evening.  21. When _________ you _________ (take) me to the zoo?  22. I _________ (start) piano lessons soon.  23. We _________ (go) camping tomorrow.  24. Pete´s parents _________ (take) him to Holland next week.  25. My favourite TV program _________ (start) in a minute.  B. Present continuous for future use  1. All our friends ___________ (come).  2. Who ___________ (bring) salad for the barbecue?  3. I ___________ (visit) Joe next week.  4. Where ___________ you ___________ (go) for your vacation?  5. What ___________ we ___________ (eat) for dinner?  6. I ___________ (meet) some friends after work. 7. I ___________ (not go) to the party tonight.  8. ___________ he ___________ (visit) his parents next weekend?  9. ___________ he ___________ (not come) with us tonight?  10. When ___________ you ___________ (get) married?  11. He ___________ (see) his mother on Tuesday.  12. She ___________ (travel) to York at the weekend.  13. We ___________ (eat) in a restaurant tonight.  14. They can play tennis tomorrow. They ___________ (not work). 15. When ___________ you ___________ (start) your new job?  16. Mary ___________ (take) her music exam next year.  17. I ___________ (go) abroad this summer.  18. She ___________ (get) married this month. 19. I ___________ (have) my first piano lessons this week. 20. ___________ they ___________ (have) a party on Friday? 21. ___________ you ___________ (meet) Vicky today?  22. He ___________ (not go) to school tomorrow.  23. We ___________ (get up) early on Saturday to play golf. 24.I ___________ (stay in a hotel near the station next week.  25. I ___________ (drive) to Manchester on Friday.