Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 25 · A2

What are you doing tomorrow?

Use am/is/are + -ing for plans you have already arranged, and the present simple for timetables.

Start the lesson

11Steps · about 20 minutes

In this lesson

Now and the futureA1 screen of questions
I am doing something tomorrow: you have arranged itB3 screens of questions
Plans or timetables?C2 screens of questions

Point A of 3

Now and the future

am/is/are + -ing (the present continuous) already does one job: describing what is happening at this moment.

It does a second job too. It can talk about the future: tomorrow, next week, on Saturday. Nothing in the verb changes. Only the time word shows that it is the future.

Now Future
They**'re playing** football (now). Dan is playing football tomorrow.
  • "Where's Priya?" "She's having a shower."
  • Turn the radio down, please. I'm studying.
  • Dan is playing football tomorrow.
  • I'm not working on Saturday.

Point A · Extra practice

Put the verb into the present continuous. Each sentence is about the future.

  1. I my sister tomorrow. (see)

  2. Ravi on Saturday. He's got the day off. (not / work)

  3. What you tonight? (do)

Point B of 3

I am doing something tomorrow: you have arranged it

I am doing something tomorrow means that I have arranged it. It is in the diary. I have a plan, and probably a booking.

You can also say I am going to do something (Unit 26).

  • Megan is going to the dentist on Thursday. (She has an appointment.)
  • We're having a barbecue on Sunday.
  • Are you meeting your sister after work?
  • What are you doing on Friday night?
  • I'm not going out this evening. I'm staying in with a pizza.

Point B · Exercise 25.1

Look at each person's diary. What are they doing next Saturday?

  1. Example

    Callum's diary for Saturday says 'swimming, 10 a.m.'.

    Callum's going swimming on Saturday.

    AnswerCallum's going swimming on Saturday.

  2. Hannah's diary for Saturday says 'theatre with Mum'.

    Hannah to the theatre.

  3. Owen's diary for Saturday says 'paint the kitchen'.

    Owen .

  4. Zara's diary for Saturday says 'breakfast with Gemma'.

    breakfast with Gemma.

  5. Jack and Amy's shared diary for Saturday says 'Rachel's wedding'.

    .

Point B · Exercise 25.2

Write questions about the future, using the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    (you / do / anything / at the weekend?)

    Are you doing anything at the weekend?

    AnswerAre you doing anything at the weekend?

  2. (you / go / to Ben's party / on Saturday?)

  3. (where / you / have / lunch / tomorrow?)

  4. (what time / your parents / come?)

  5. (when / Sophie / start / her new job?)

Point B · Exercise 25.3

Write sentences about yourself. What are you doing in the next few days?

  1. Example

    Your plan for tonight.

    I'm watching the football at my brother's tonight.

    Example answerI'm watching the football at my brother's tonight.

  2. Example

    Your plan for tomorrow.

    I'm visiting my grandmother tomorrow.

    Example answerI'm visiting my grandmother tomorrow.

  3. Another plan for the next few days.

  4. Another plan for the next few days.

  5. Another plan for the next few days.

  6. Another plan for the next few days.

Point C of 3

Plans or timetables?

For a plan or arrangement, avoid the present simple (I stay, do you go etc.).

  • I'm staying in tonight. (not 'I stay')
  • Are you going to the match? (not 'Do you go')

The present simple is for timetables and schedules: trains, buses, films, classes. They run at a set time, ready or not.

Present continuous: usually people Present simple: timetables, programmes
I'm going to a gig on Friday. The gig starts at eight.
What time are you leaving? What time does your bus leave?
  • Liam isn't coming to the barbecue on Sunday. (not 'Liam doesn't come')
  • The last bus to Leeds leaves at 11.15.
  • What time does the match start?

Point C · Exercise 25.4 · part 1 of 2

Put the verb into the present continuous (he is leaving etc.) or the present simple (the train leaves etc.).

  1. Example

    "Are you going (you / go) to the gym later?" "No, my legs still hurt from yesterday."

    Answer"Are you going to the gym later?" "No, my legs still hurt from yesterday."

  2. Example

    We're going (we / go) to the cinema tonight. The film starts (the film / start) at 8.15.

    AnswerWe're going to the cinema tonight. The film starts at 8.15.

  3. Have you heard about Tom? (he / move) to Cardiff next month!

  4. A: My cousins (come) to stay next weekend. B: Oh, lovely. How long (they / stay)?

  5. Kate is doing a cookery course this term. The course (finish) in December.

  6. There's a quiz at the pub tonight, but (I / not / go). I'm too tired.

Point C · Exercise 25.4 · part 2 of 2

Put the verb into the present continuous (he is leaving etc.) or the present simple (the train leaves etc.).

  1. (I / have) dinner with Sam on Friday. (you / come) too?

  2. A: How (you / get) to the airport tomorrow? A taxi? B: No, the train. The first train (leave) at 5.40.

  3. A: Shall we go to the match on Saturday? B: Yes, what time (it / start)?

  4. A: What (you / do) on Sunday morning? B: (I / play) golf with my dad.

Lesson 25 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I'm going to ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Now and the future–Not checkedB. I am doing something tomorrow: you have arranged it–Not checkedC. Plans or timetables?–Not checked