Present simple for timetables and plans. Did you know that English does not have a future tense? It’s true! However, we have lots of different ways to talk about the future. Today we are looking at how to use Present Simple for future events.
Timetables
I may be talking about a plane leaving next month or about a class I am taking next semester, but I use Present Simple because it is a set timetable.
- Use the Present Simple to talk about set timetables
- The meeting starts at noon.
- The bus leaves at 8 AM tomorrow morning.
- In both examples above we are talking about a time in the future, but since these are set times, we use Present Simple.
Set plans
Set future plans are a lot like timetables because they are not going to change.
- Use Present Simple to talk about set plans
- Dinner is at 8:00.
- We leave home at 7:45 every day.
- Again, these are set plans so we use Present Simple.
Other ways to talk about timetables and plans
‘Will’ is another way to speak about the future in English.
- Note that we can also use ‘will’ in these sentences and the meaning does not change.
- The plane will leave at 5PM
- We will leave home at 7:45 every day.
- Also note that we say 5PM and not 17:00.
Common Mistakes
Knowing when to use Present Simple or Present Continuous can be confusing. It can be even more confusing for the person you are speaking to if you mix them up.
- Remember, if we use Present Simple to talk about timetables and plans, it means that these are set times.
- The meeting starts at noon every Tuesday.
- If we use Present Continuous in this sentence, it means that the time is a temporary time for one meeting.
- The meeting is starting at noon this Tuesday.
English Grammar
Now that you have seen Present simple for timetables and plans, take a look at our other Grammar Posts:
Grammar: Already vs Yet
Grammar: Like vs As