ESL CONNECT | Present Simple, Present Continuous and Will for the Future

Explanation: three ways to talk about the future

English can use different forms to talk about the future. In this lesson, we focus on present simple, present continuous and will.

1. Present simple for timetables and schedules

Use the present simple for official times: trains, buses, flights, classes, meetings, films and programmes.

Structure	Example	Meaning
subject + present simple verb	The train leaves at 8:30.	This is a scheduled time.
subject + present simple verb	The meeting starts at 10.	This is on the timetable.
subject + present simple verb	The film finishes at 9:45.	This is an official time.

2. Present continuous for future arrangements

Use the present continuous for future arrangements, especially when you have already organised something with another person.

Structure	Example	Meaning
subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	I’m meeting Anna tomorrow.	The arrangement is organised.
subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	We’re having dinner at 8.	The plan is fixed.
subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	She’s flying to Paris on Monday.	The ticket/arrangement is probably organised.

3. Will for predictions, offers and instant decisions

Use will for predictions, opinions, instant decisions, promises and offers.

Use	Example
Prediction/opinion	I think it will rain tomorrow.
Instant decision	I’ll have a coffee, please.
Offer	I’ll help you.
Promise	I’ll call you later.

4. Main difference

Form	Use	Example
Present simple	timetable or schedule	The bus leaves at 7:15.
Present continuous	personal arrangement	I’m meeting Sara at 7.
Will	prediction, offer, promise or decision now	I’ll answer the phone.

Remember:
Official schedule = present simple: The train leaves at 9.
Personal arrangement = present continuous: I’m meeting Tom tonight.
Decision/prediction/offer = will: I’ll help you.

Present simple for future schedules

Choose the correct form for timetables and schedules.

1. The train __________ at 8:30 tomorrow morning.

is leaving will leave leaves

2. The English class __________ at 6 p.m.

starts is starting will start

3. The film __________ at 10:15 tonight.

will finish finishes is finishing

4. The museum __________ at 9 o’clock on Saturday.

is opening will open opens

Write the sentence

Complete: The bus / leave / at 7:45.

Answer: The bus leaves at 7:45.

Present continuous for arrangements

Choose the correct form for future arrangements.

1. I __________ Luca after school tomorrow.

meet will meet am meeting

2. We __________ dinner with friends tonight.

have are having will have

3. She __________ to Madrid on Monday. She has a ticket.

flies will fly is flying

4. They __________ their cousins this weekend.

are visiting visit will visit

Write the sentence

Complete: I / see / the dentist / tomorrow.

Answer: I’m seeing the dentist tomorrow.

Will for future decisions, offers and predictions

Choose the correct use of will.

1. A: This bag is heavy. B: __________ you.

I’m helping I help I’ll help

2. Waiter: What would you like? Customer: __________ a sandwich, please.

I have I’ll have I’m having

3. I think the exam __________ difficult.

will be is being is

4. I promise __________ you later.

I call I’m calling I’ll call

Write the sentence

Instant decision: The phone is ringing. I / answer / the phone.

Answer: I’ll answer the phone.

Choose the future form

Choose the best form: present simple, present continuous or will.

1. The meeting __________ at 11 tomorrow.

is starting starts will start

2. I __________ my tutor after school. We arranged it yesterday.

will meet meet am meeting

3. I think Spain __________ the match.

wins is winning will win

4. The flight __________ at 6:40 tomorrow morning.

will leave leaves is leaving

5. We __________ lunch with my grandparents on Sunday.

are having will have have

6. A: I can’t open this jar. B: I __________ it for you.

open am opening will open

B1 contrast practice

These questions focus on meaning: official schedule, personal arrangement, prediction or instant decision.

1. The shop __________ at 9 tomorrow. It says so on the website.

will open opens is opening

2. Anna __________ a new shop next month. She invited us to the launch.

opens will open is opening

3. I think online lessons __________ more popular in the future.

become are becoming will become

4. I __________ the doctor tomorrow at 4. I booked the appointment.

see will see am seeing

5. The course __________ on 15 June.

ends is ending will end

6. A: I need the file. B: No problem, I __________ it now.

send will send am sending

Correct the mistake

Correct: The train is leaving at 8. It is on the timetable.

Answer: The train leaves at 8.

Correct: I will meet Sara tonight. We arranged it yesterday.

Answer: I’m meeting Sara tonight.

Mixed practice

Choose the best answer.

1. The bus __________ at 7:20.

will arrive arrives is arriving

2. We __________ to the cinema tonight. We bought tickets.

go will go are going

3. Don’t worry. I __________ you with your homework.

help am helping will help

4. The lesson __________ at 5 p.m.

starts will start is starting

5. I __________ dinner with Marco tomorrow.

will have have am having

6. I’m sure the party __________ fun.

is being will be is

Final writing practice

1. Write one future schedule using the present simple.

2. Write one future arrangement using the present continuous.

3. Write one future prediction or instant decision using will.