Future Arrangements
We often use the Present Continuous tense to talk about future arrangements. A future arrangement is a plan or intention for the future that has already been arranged or organized.
Examples:
I'm visiting my dentist tomorrow at 5 p.m.
What are you doing tonight?
She isn't going to work tomorrw. She's taken the day off.
As we said earlier, a future arrangement is also a future plan or intention, so we can sometimes use "be going to + base verb" to talk about the same situation.
Example:
I'm visiting my dentist next week.
(The person has already made an appointment - it's arranged.)
~
I'm going to visit my dentist next week.
(This shows the person's intention. We don't know if the person has made an appointment, or it's already arranged, or not)
Exercises
Look at Monica's diary. Write the questions and answers about her future arrangements.MONDAY- Meet Rose 5 p.m.- Go to the movies with Rose 7 p.m.WEDNESDAY- Help her brother with his homework 8 a.m.THURSDAY- Watch a documentary 9 p.m.SATURDAY- play tennis 8 a.m.- barbecue with friends 1 p.m.
1/ watch a documentary on Monday evening?
Is she watching a documentary on Monday evening?No, she isn't. She's watching a documentary on Thursday evening.
2When / play tennis?
When is she playing tennis?She's playing tennis on Saturday morning.
3/ meet Rose on Monday?
Is she meeting Rose on Monday?Yes, she is.
4When / help her brother?
When is she helping her brother?She's helping her brother on Wednesday morning.
5What / on Monday evening?
What is she doing on Monday evening?She's going to the movies with Rose.
6/ go to a restaurant for lunch on Saturday?
Is she going to a restaurant for lunch on Saturday?No, she isn't. She's having a barbecue with her friends.