Unit 21. What are you doing tomorrow? (Present for the future)
(настоящее в будущем)
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They are playing tennis now. | She is playing tennis tomorrow. |
We use am/ is/ are -ing (Present Continuous) for something happening now (see Unit 3 I am doing (present continuous) and Unit 4 Are you -ing? (Present Continuous questions)):
- "Where are George and Sue?" "They're playing tennis in the park."
- Please be quiet. I'm working.
We also use am/ is/ are -ing for the future (tomorrow / next week etc.):
- Carol is playing tennis tomorrow.
- I'm not working next week.
I am doing something tomorrow = I have arranged to do something, I have a plan to do something:
- Alice is going to the dentist on Friday.
(= she has an appointment with the dentist) - They are going to a concert tomorrow evening. (they have tickets for the concert) - Are you meeting Bill this evening? (= have you and Bill arranged to meet?) - What are you doing at the weekend? - I'm not going out tonight. I'm staying at home. |
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You can also say "I'm going to do something" (see Unit 22 I’m going to …).
Do not use the Present Simple (I go/ do you go? etc.) for arrangements:
- I'm going out this evening. (not I go)
- Are you going out tonight? (not do you go)
- Ann isn't coming to the party next week. (not Ann doesn't come)
But we use the Present Simple for timetables, programmes, trains etc.:
- The concert starts at 7.30.
- What time does the train leave?
Study the difference:
- I'm going to a concert this evening.
The concert starts at 7.30. I'm going - Present Continuous: usually for people The concert starts - Present Simple: for programmes, trains etc. |
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