Present+Continuous+for+future+arrangements

> PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS > ** 1. Present continuous for the future, form ** > See notes on form in section on Present Continuous. > || She || is || meeting || > The present continuous is used to talk about **//arrangements//** for events at a time later than now. > There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. e.g.a. //I'm meeting Jim at the airport =// and both Jim and I have discussed this. > b. //I am leaving tomorrow. =// and I've already bought my train ticket. > c. //We're having a staff meeting next Monday =// and all members of staff have been told about it. > More examples: > a. //**Is she seeing**// him tomorrow? > b. //**He isn't working**// next week. > c. //**They aren't leaving**// until the end of next year. > d. //**We are staying**// with friends when we get to Boston.**Note:** in example (a), //seeing// is used in a continuous form because it means //meeting.// > > **BE CAREFUL!** The **simple present** is used when a future event is part of a programme or time-table. Notice the difference between: > > a. //**We're having** a staff meeting next Monday.// > b. //We **have** a staff meeting next Monday.(=// we have a meeting every Monday, it's on the time-table.) []
 * **Subject** || + **//to be//** || + base-**//ing//** ||
 * 2. Future: Present continuous for the future, function**

English speakers often use the present continuous tense (subject + 'be' = verb-ing) to talk about **future arrangements**. A **future arrangement** is 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.

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.

Will you help me finish the housework? - Sorry, I can't: **I'm leaving** for work now.
 * I'm going** to bed now - goodnight.

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**.

[]

NOW TEST YOURSELF HERE : []

media type="youtube" key="_EDVFRf6EC4" height="390" width="480"