The flight departs at 7:00

My cousin Sam is getting married soon. Everyone in my family is looking forward to the wedding. She is having a black and white theme for her wedding, so I’m going to wear a tuxedo. The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm, so I booked a hotel room for the night. The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00, so I’m going to check in before the wedding.

We can use the present tense and present progressive tense to talk about the future. Do you know how to use these tenses? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check your understanding with the quiz at the end of the lesson.

Rule #1: We use the present progressive tense for the future when we talk about something we have already made plans or arrangement to do. Remember, the structure of the present progressive is Be Verb + Verb-ING:

  • My cousin Sam is getting married soon.
  • She is having a black and white theme for her wedding.
  • I am going to wear a tuxedo to the wedding.

Rule #2: We also use the simple present tense for the future when we talk about schedules, timetables, and future events that have a fixed starting or ending time:

  • The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm.
  • The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00
  • The flight to Boston departs at noon.

Rule #3 We can also use the simple present tense for fixed plans and arrangements, generally when we talk about work, school, and other habitual events that have a fixed schedule:

  • What time do you finish work tonight?
  • When does your new aerobics class start?
  • The new coffee shop in town opens tomorrow.

Rule #4: But, we usually use present progressive for personal plans and arrangements made for pleasure:

  • Jen and Chris are going to the movies tonight.
  • I heard Matt is meeting Katie after work tonight.
  • I’m taking a nap this afternoon.

How did you do? Now, check your understanding with this quiz:

Present & Present Perfect Quiz

Congratulations - you have completed Present & Present Perfect Quiz.

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What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%


Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
I can’t meet you tonight because I ____________
am working
am work
work
Question 2
I heard a new pizza restaurant ____________ on Friday.
opens
is opens
is open
Question 3
What time ____________ work in the morning.
are you starting
are you start
do you start
Question 4
Usually the bus ____________ every hour, but I’m not sure about today. It’s raining hard.
comes
coming
is coming
Question 5
Her flight ____________ at 7, so we have to hurry.
leaves
leaving
is leaves
Question 6
Jane____________Florida next week.
is going to
goes to
going to
Question 7
My cousin ____________ a big wedding in June.
having
has
is having
Question 8
____________ to the party on Saturday?
Kathy comes
Does Kathy come
Is Kathy coming
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Get Results
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