Future and Modals : Unit 20, What are you doing tomorrow? (Present for the future)

A.      We use am/is/ are –ing (present continuous) for something happening now.

-          “Where are Bob and Sue?”  “They’re playing tennis in the park.”

-          Please be quiet. I’m working.

We also use am/is/are –ing for the future (tommorow/next week, etc.) :

-          Ann is playing tennis tommorow.

-          I’m not working next week.

I am doing something tommorow = I have arranged to od something, I have a plan to do something:

-          Carla is going to the dentist on Friday.
(=she has an appointment with  the dentist)

-          They are going to a concert tommorow night.
(=they have tickets for the concert.)

-          Are you meeting Bill this evening?
(=have you and Bill arranged to meet?)

-          What are you doing this weekend?

-          I’m not going out tonight. I’m staying home.

You can also say “I’m going to do something.”

B.      Do not use the simple present (I go/ do you go?, etc.) for arrangements:

-          I’m going out this evening. (not “I go”)

-          Are you going out tonigh? (not “do you go”)

-          Ann isn’t coming to the party next week. (not “Ann doesn’t come”)

But we use the simple present for timetables, trains, program, schedules, etc.:

-          The concert starts at 7:30

-          What time does the train leave?

C.      Study the difference :

-          I’m going to a concert this evening.
The concert starts at 7:30.

I’m going – present continuous : usually for people.
The concert starts – simple present : for programs, trains, etc.