Present Progressive & Simple Present
Future time can also be expressed using present progressive
or simple present tense verbs. Usually these sentences will contain context clues that indicate future time (such as next week, tomorrow, in five years, etc.).
Click the "play" arrow to listen to the explanations.
When should you use present progressive (be + ing)? When should you use simple present?
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To express this meaning: |
Use this: |
Example sentences |
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present progressive (be + ing) |
My wife has an appointment with a doctor. She is seeing Dr. North next Tuesday. |
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simple present |
Classes begin next week. John's plane arrives at 6:00 next Monday. |
(Put your mouse over the words in the left column to see the definition.)
Present Progressive tense can be used to talk about future planned events or decisions already made in advance.
For example:
- I am taking four courses next semester. ("Next semester" indicates future time.)
- I am taking four courses this semester. (This sentence does NOT express future time because there are no context clues to indicate future. It is "in progress" at the moment of speaking - present time.)
Simple Present tense can be used to talk about scheduled future activities/events, such as appointments, travel, business hours, etc.
For example:
- The bus stops here in fifteen minutes.
- The movies starts at 5:00.
- I go to the dentist at 10:00.
Review the table and then try this Quiz Groups to check your understanding.
