Present Tense for Future Plans

Form

Two present tenses can refer to the future. The present simple (verb or verb+s) is used for fixed, timetabled events: subject + base verb (+ -s for he/she/it) + a future time (The store opens at nine tomorrow). The present continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing) is used for personal arrangements already settled with other people: subject + be + verb-ing + a future time (I'm seeing the dentist on Tuesday). A future time expression is what signals that these present forms point forward.

When to Use It

• Present simple for schedules, timetables, and programs (The flight departs at 7:15 on Saturday.)
• Present simple for fixed public events that follow a calendar (The semester starts on September 3rd.)
• Present continuous for fixed personal arrangements with a time and place (We're having lunch with Maria at noon.)
• Present continuous for plans involving other people or bookings (They're flying to Rome next Thursday.)

Signal Words

Common Mistakes

• Using present continuous for fixed timetables; use present simple instead (The train is leaving at 6pm -> The train leaves at 6pm).
• Forgetting the -s in the present simple for he/she/it (The bus arrive at noon -> The bus arrives at noon).
• Dropping 'be' in the present continuous arrangement (I meeting her Friday -> I'm meeting her Friday).
• Using present simple for a personal arrangement; an arrangement with others takes the continuous (I see my friends tonight -> I'm seeing my friends tonight).