Timetables or Plans
My train ______ at 8:30 tomorrow. (leave)
My train leaves at 8:30 tomorrow.
I meet my friend at 7 tonight.
I'm meeting my friend at 7 tonight.
The train leaves at 5:30pm. Is this present simple or present continuous?
Present simple
I am meeting a friend tonight. What tense is this sentence in?
Future
I’m ______ Anna after work. (meet)
I'm meeting Anna after work.
The lesson is starting at 9 tomorrow morning.
The lesson starts at 9 tomorrow morning.
Because it is a fixed timetable
What do we use the present simple for?
Fixed timetables/schedules
The museum ______ at 10 a.m. on Saturday. (open)
The museum opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
I’m playing football at 5 because that’s when the match starts.
I play football at 5 because that’s when the match starts.
Can you give an example of a plan you have for this weekend?
I am going out for lunch with my family on Saturday.
What do we use the present continuous for?
Plans/meeting people/arrangements
We ______ a barbecue at my house this weekend. (have)
We're having a barbecue at my house this weekend.
I am meet my cousin who is visiting from London on Saturday afternoon.
I am meeting my cousin who is visiting from London on Saturday afternoon.
What are some clues in a sentence that help you choose which tense to use?
Clues include time expressions, specific people or arrangements for Present Continuous, and fixed schedules or official routines for Present Simple.
Can you give an example of a timetable or schedule in your life for next week?
'My bus arrives at 10 p.m. this evening'
The film ______ at 9, so we need to arrive early. (start)
The film starts at 9, so we need to arrive early.
According to the schedule, the conference is starting at 9, but we are meeting the speaker earlier.
According to the schedule, the conference starts at 9, but we are meeting the speaker earlier.
How do you know if a sentence is a personal plan rather than a timetable?
You can tell it’s a personal plan if it describes an arrangement someone has already decided, often with a specific person, place, or time, rather than a fixed schedule that applies to everyone.
How is the meaning different when we say “The train leaves at 8” instead of “The train is leaving at 8”?
Present Simple is used for fixed schedules, while Present Continuous is used for personal plans or arrangements. The train company has set the departure time, it will happen no matter what.