COMMON TENSES

 PRESENT CONTINUOUS: for arrangements (fixed plans):

Ex.: I’m having lunch with David Beckham tonight.
 BE GOING TO: emphasizes the intention, arrangements may or
may not have been made:
Ex.: We are going to marry
 FUTURE CONTINUOUS:
A) for arrangements, it will happen whether we have arranged it
or not.
Ex.: I’ll be seeing David Beckham at the wedding.
B) in polite enquiries about arrangements:
Ex.: Will you be coming with us?
 PRESENT SIMPLE: in timetables or regular schedules.
Ex.: The trains leaves at 9:00.
OTHER EXPRESSIONS
 DUE TO: something is expected or arranged:
Ex: The guests are due to arrive at 9.
Ex.: The next train is due in ten minutes.
 BE ABOUT TO, BE ON THE VERGE OF, BE ON THE POINT
OF: something is going to happen very soon.
Ex.: The film is about to start.
Ex.: The Spanish president is on the point of resigning.
(more formal)
Ex.: Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
 BE+TO+INFINITIVE: formal for official plans and
arrangements.
Ex.: The Spanish president is to talk to the Pope next week.