The present continuous for future arrangements

1. The present continuous for
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
EF Pre-Intermediate
3B

2. We often use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS with a
future meaning, especially for
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
(PLANS WE HAVE MADE AT A FIXED TIME OR PLACE IN THE FUTURE)

3. DON’T USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE FOR
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
I see some friends tonight
I’m seeing some friends tonight
It’s very common to use the present
continuous with the expressions tonight,
tomorrow, this weekend …
and with verbs describing travel
arrangements, like go, come, leave,
arrive, etc.

4. Going to or present continuous?
• Very often you can use either with no difference
in meaning, but the present continuous is more
common with the expressions and verbs
mentioned before.
I’m going to see Anna on Tuesday or I’m seeing
Anna on Tuesday
But
I’m leaving on Monday is better than I’m going to
leave on Monday