19. PRESENT TENSES ( I AM DOING/I DO) FOR THE FUTURE ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

19. PRESENT TENSES ( I AM DOING/I DO) FOR THE FUTURE

A	Present continuous (I am doing) with a future meaning This is Ben'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 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 Katherine arriving tomorrow?   B: Half past ten. I'm meeting her at the station. ·         I'm not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere. ·         Steve 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 when we talk about arrangements. See 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 you begin 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) ·         'Jess, are you ready yet?' 'Yes, I'm coming.' (not I come)
B		Present simple (I do) with a future meaning 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 start 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 Present simple ·         What time are you arriving? ·         I’m going to the cinema this evening ·         What time does the train arrive? ·         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 /go for?) __________________________ Ten days. 3 (when /leave?) __________________________ Next Friday. 4 (go /alone?) __________________________ No, with a friend. 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 sentences about yourself. 1 (this evening) I’m going out this evening or I’m not doing anything 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 _____ (I /go) to the cinema this evening. 2 ______ Does the film start____ (the film /start) 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. ________(1 /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.

ANSWER KEY

19.1 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? 19.2 2 I'm working late. I I'm working till 9 o'clock. 3 I'm going to the theatre. 4 I'm meeting Julia. 19.3 Example answers: 2 I'm working 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 We're having /We are having 4 finishes 5 I'm not going /I am not going ... I'm staying /I am staying 6 Are you doing 7 We're going /We are going ... It starts 8 I'm leaving /I am leaving 9 we're meeting /we are meeting 10 does this train get 11 I'm going /I am going ... Are you coming 12 does it end 13 I'm not using /I am not using 14 's coming /is coming ... She's travelling /She is travelling ... arrives