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English grammar Part of Chapter 4

CEFR A2-B1

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Test yourself (18 questions)

Present continuous for future plans, present simple for timetables

By Michael McGettrickUpdated 12 October 2026

For the future, English also uses two present forms. The present continuous is for a plan with a time: I'm meeting Sara at six. The present simple is for a timetable: The train leaves at nine.

present continuous (a plan with a time)present simple (a timetable)What do the colours mean?
FormUse it forExample
continuous Sara .
continuous .
timetable .
calendar .

Quick check

Now use it: three quick questions on the chart above. The full practice is further down.

Pick the right one

0/3

Now, or a plan for later? Look for a time word.

  1. I'm cooking dinner. Come and see!

  2. I'm cooking dinner for Tom on Saturday.

  3. We're playing football in the park. Come and play!

Will and going to are on the will vs going to page.

The present continuous: I'm meeting Sara at six

the part that changespresent continuous (a plan with a time)What do the colours mean?

The form is the same as for now: am, is or are, then the verb with -ing.

WhoExample
Tom.
/ / Ana.
/ / .

A time word makes it the future. With no time word, it usually means now.

  • . (now: come and see)
  • . (a plan for later)

Use it when the plan is fixed: you have the time, the place, another person or the tickets.

  • .
  • Tom .
  • ?

I'm going to meet Sara is also correct. It says you decided; I'm meeting Sara says the time is fixed with her.

The present simple: the train leaves at nine

the part that changesWhat do the colours mean?

The present simple is for the future only when a timetable or a calendar sets the time. Someone else decides it.

WhatExample
.
.
.
.
.

Your own plans are not timetables, so they do not take the present simple:

  • London . (not I go to London)

Which one?

present continuous (a plan with a time)present simple (a timetable)What do the colours mean?
The planUseExample
continuous Tom .
timetable .
, .
.

Common mistakes

WrongRightWhy
I go out tonight.I'm going out tonight. timetable.
I meeting Tom.I'm meeting Tom. , .
It start at eight.It starts at eight., , : -s.

For plans, ask What are you doing tonight? The question What do you do? asks about your job.

What to do next

  1. Say two plans for this week with a time: I'm seeing...
  2. Go back to will vs going to.
  3. Do the drills below.

Practise: test yourself

Sort into groups

0/6

Is it a plan with a time, or a timetable?

Tap a word, then the group it belongs in.

Pick the right one

0/4

Now, or a plan for later? Look for a time word.

  1. I'm cooking dinner. Come and see!

  2. I'm cooking dinner for Tom on Saturday.

  3. We're playing football in the park. Come and play!

  4. We're playing football after school tomorrow.

Spot the mistake

0/4

Each sentence has one mistake. Tap it.

Complete the story

0/4

Tap the words that fit each gap.

Ana's Friday

On Friday Ana to see her brother. Her train at nine. She him at the station. They lunch at his house.

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Frequently asked questions

Can the present continuous talk about the future?
Yes, for a plan that is fixed: you have the time, the place or the tickets. I'm meeting Sara at six. We're flying to Rome on Friday. Add a future time word, or the sentence means now: I'm cooking dinner (now) against I'm cooking dinner on Saturday (a plan).
When do we use the present simple for the future?
For timetables and schedules that someone else sets: trains, films, shops, classes. The train leaves at nine. The shop opens at ten. It also works for a date on a calendar: I start my new job on Monday.
What is the difference between I'm meeting and I'm going to meet?
Very little. Both are plans. I'm meeting Sara at six says the time is arranged with her. I'm going to meet Sara says you have decided to. Both are correct in most sentences.
Is it correct to say what do you do tonight?
Not for plans. Ask with the present continuous: What are you doing tonight? What do you do? asks about your job or your habits, not your plans.
Is I go to London next week correct?
Not for your own plan. Say I'm going to London next week, which is the present continuous of go. The present simple is for timetables, so the train goes to London at nine is fine.