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

1. 1

   Present simple for schedules, timetables, and programs

   The flight departs at 7:15 on Saturday.

2. 2

   Present simple for fixed public events that follow a calendar

   The semester starts on September 3rd.

3. 3

   Present continuous for fixed personal arrangements with a time and place

   We're having lunch with Maria at noon.

4. 4

   Present continuous for plans involving other people or bookings

   They're flying to Rome next Thursday.

Common Mistakes

• Will plus -ing for a timetable: write The train leaves at 6 p.m., not The train will leaving at 6 p.m. — a timetable takes the present simple.
• Forgetting the -s in the present simple for he/she/it The bus arrive at noon →becomes The bus arrives at noon.
• Dropping “be” in the present continuous arrangement I meeting her Friday →becomes I'm meeting her Friday.
• Present simple for a plan with friends: say I'm seeing my friends tonight, not I see my friends tonight — the present simple usually sounds unnatural for a personal arrangement.