Future: using the Present Continuous to talk about the future

Affirmative Negative

I am jumping I am not jumping = I’m not jumping

You are drinking You are not drinking = You aren’t drinking
He is playing He is not playing = He isn’t playing
She is singing She is not singing = She isn’t singing
It is sleeping It is not sleeping = It isn’t sleeping
We are winning  We are not winning = We aren’t winning
You are running You are not running = You aren’t running
They are screaming  They are not screaming = They aren’t screaming

Questions
How to form a question using the Present Continuous:

Affirmativ He is
e I am sleeping here tomorrow.
They are

Verb to Main verb+

  Subject
be ing
 
Is he
Question Am I sleeping here tomorrow?
Are they

  Verb to be Subject Main verb

The Present Continuous can refer to the future. It shows that we have already decided
something and usually that we have already made a plan or arrangements.

E.g.: [talking about plans for a tour by a rock music group] - The band is visiting Denmark next May.

I am taking the train to Paris tomorrow.

Warning:
We don’t use the present continuous when we predict something. Instead, we use going to or will:

- It’s going to rain again soon.

- Not: It’s raining again soon.

1
Conclusion:
TENSE WHEN IT IS USED
Future facts -----------------------------
Predictions----------------------------------
FUTURE SIMPLE
Promises --------------------------------
Threats -----------------------------------
Offers ------------------------------------
Refusals --------------------------------
Spontaneous decisions (= decision at
the moment of speaking) -----
Personal intention (prior plan) ---
A prediction based on something we
Be going to +
can see (or hear) now ---------------
infinitive without
“to”
Inevitable future consequences
(evidence) ------
Something that is about to happen ->
When we have already decided
something --------------------------------
PRESENT
CONTINUOUS
When we have already made plans
or arrangements ------------------------
2
EXAMPLES
Tomorrow, the sun will set at 8 pm.
I think she will invite us to her wedding.
/ They will find a cure for cancer in the
future.
Don’t worry. I will give you a hand with
that tomorrow.
Don’t do that or I’ll get very angry.
I will carry the bags for you.
Students won’t listen to teachers!
It’s cold. I’ll switch on the heating. / She
has just told there’s no tea, so I will have
coffee.
I am not going to be rude again. / We
are going to buy a new house.
The Conservatives are going to win the
election. They already have most of the
votes.
It’s very slippery! Be careful! You are
going to fall. / He is very ill. He is going
to die.
Get back! The bomb is going to
explode!
I am having dinner with my friends on
Saturday.
We are going back on 10th November.
Peter and Susan are getting married
next June.
1. Fill in the gaps using the Future Simple or be going to:
1.1. What are your plans for the weekend? I ____________________ a film. (to watch)
1.2. Doris is always late. I'm sure she ________________________ late tomorrow evening. (to be)
1.3. Would you like tea or coffee? I __________________________ coffee. (to have)
1.4. Watch out! You ________________________ yourself. (to hurt)
1.5. My friends ____________________________ tonight. They are grounded. (to stay in)
1.6. It's starting to rain. I _______________________ the umbrella. (to put up)
1.7. Look! They _________________________ the car. (to wash)
1.8. I don't think they ____________________________ their holidays by the sea again. (to spend)
1.9. If you don’t stop bullying her, I ________________________ the teacher. (to tell)
1.10. Philip  ____________________ 15 years old next Wednesday. (to be)
1.11. They  ____________________________ a new computer. (to get)
1.12. Just a moment. I  ______________________________ you with the bags. (to help)
1.13. When _______________you _______________ another party? (have)
1.14. Franny: I can't open this jar. / Leslie: Give it to me. I ____________________________ it. (do)

2. Using the words in brackets, fill in the gaps using the Future Simple; be going to or the
Present Continuous:
2.1. Tony _____________________a friend tomorrow. (meet)

2.2. I think it __________________ soon. (snow)

2.3. Perhaps I ____________________ New York one day. (visit)

2.4. What time _____________________ tomorrow? (leave/you)

2.5. Who ____________________ the next World Cup? (win)

2.6. I'm sure you ____________________ the exam next week. (not fail)

2.7. I ___________________my parents at the weekend. (visit)

2.8. Don't touch that dog. It _________________you. (bite)

2.9. They _____________________ to my house tonight. (come)

2.10. Look at those clouds, it _____________________. (rain)