How to Use Present Simple to Talk about Future Events

The present simple can be used to talk about talk about scheduled future events. These are
events that happen according to a schedule or timetable. They are usually scheduled by someone
else and they are usually public events.

Tomorrow  is Friday.

I  fly to Paris next week.

The plane departs at 8 p.m.

The train to Ottawa  leaves at 11:30 a.m.

When do you leave  for NYC?

Her train  arrives at 8:35 a.m. tomorrow morning.

What time does the movie start tonight?

What time do you finish work tomorrow?

What time does the store open tomorrow?

Final exams  start next week.

The concert  begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Monet exhibit closes on Sunday.

The sale ends next week.

 Important: Only the verbs below can be used in the simple present to talk about a future
scheduled event:
arrive be begin close depart end finish
fly leave open start
 When to use Present Continuous with future meaning

We often use the Present Continuous to talk about future arrangements. A future

arrangement is a plan that we have decided and organised with another person, a group of
people or a company:
 I’m working over the New Year. (this arrangement is between the speaker and his/her
employer)
 We are staying with friends when we get to Boston.
 We’re meeting Helen at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
It is not always necessary to state who the arrangement is with:

 I  am leaving  tomorrow.  (I’ve already bought my train ticket.)

 So  what are we all doing at Christmas?
We often use the Present Continuous to talk about things we are about to start doing. This is
especially common with verbs of movement, such as go, come, leave, etc.:
 I’m going  to bed now – goodnight.
 Will you help me finish the housework? – Sorry, I can’t: I’m leaving for work now.
Certain verbs, actions or situations cannot be used with the Present Continuous with future
meaning because they are not part of a plan, an arrangement or an intention. The present
continuous tense for the future can only be used when an action or situation can logically be
planned in advance:
 My leg’s hurting tomorrow. Is NOT possible
 He’s having an accident in March. Is NOT possible
 It’s snowing next week.  Is NOT possible