Present simple and continuous
for future PDF

For beginners, elementary and pre - intermediate levels.

Going to vs present tenses exercises

PDF worksheets with answers:

Present simple and present continuous for future arrangements.

Present simple + present continuous for future - PDF exercise 1 Complete the conversation about the Big Day with verbs in the box.

Key with answers 1

Present simple + present continuous for future - PDF exercise 2 Choose correct forms.

Key with answers 2

Present simple + present continuous for future - PDF exercise 3 Correct mistakes.

Key with answers 3

Present simple + present continuous for future - PDF exercise 4 Use jumbled words to make sentences.

Key with answers 4

Present simple + present continuous for future - PDF exercise 5 Use verbs in brackets to complete sentences.

Key with answers 5

PDF worksheets on will + going to + present continuous for future:

Will + going to + present continuous exercises PDF Exercises to practise differences.

PDF grammar rules:

English tenses PDF Printable grammar rules with examples.

Grammar rules with examples

1. With time expressions referring to the future (tomorrow, next week) the present continuous is used for our future arrangements and personal plans.

I am leaving for Madrid on Saturday morning. (I have arranged my trip to Madrid.)
Sarah is going on holiday to Greece in July. (She has already booked her holiday.)
We are coming back from New York on 12 April. (We have made a flight reservation.)

2. With future time expressions the present simple is typically used in official schedules and timetables.

The new exhibiton in the gallery starts next month.
The train departs at 8.25.

It can also describe future arrangements which are scheduled by someone else.

I arrive on Monday and Betty arrives on Tuesday. (Our arrivals are planned by our boss.)
You have an appointment at the dentist's tomorrow afternoon. (Someone else arranged this appointment for me.)

Sometimes we can use the present simple or the present continuous with a little difference in meaning.

I am flying to India in February. (My personal arrangement.)
I fly to India in February. (Someone else has arranged this trip for me.)

The continuous is more informal. It is the most usual way of expressing our personal plans.