Unit 33: Expressing Future 2: Using Present Continuous Tense

 

Learn To Speak English

In this lesson of Learning English as a Second Language, we shall learn:

• Using Present Continuous to express Future Time.

In Unit 32 , we learnt the use of WILL to express Future Plans / Arrangements. And I told you that there is not only one way of expressing Future Time there are many ways. Today we shall learn the use of Present Continuous for expressing Future Time. In Unit 22, we learnt using Present Continuous for actions happening at the time of speaking. In that unit I told you , there are many ways of using Present Continuous Tense. So, today we will learn that how we can use Present Continuous Tense for showing Future Plans or Arrangements.

Video Tutorial in English

Video Tutorial in Urdu

Let's begin!

Like WILL , Present Continuous Tense can also be used to express Future Arrangements or Plans.

Observe the following examples:

1.    I will go to London tomorrow.        (Action will take place tomorrow)

1.    I am going to London tomorrow.    (Action will take place tomorrow)

 

2.    I will buy a new car next week.      (Action will take place tomorrow)

2.    I am buying a new car next week.  (Action will take place tomorrow)

 

3.    She will attend the party tomorrow.     (Action will take place tomorrow)

3.    She is attending  the party tomorrow.   (Action will take place tomorrow)

There is no difference in the above sentences, in example 1 . I will go to London tomorrow and I am going to London tomorrow, both of them are showing Future Time.

The sentence  I am going to London tomorrow is a Present Continuous sentence but showing Future Arrangement / Plan.

When I say that I am going to London  tomorrow, it does not mean that I am going at the time of speaking.

So, remember it's up to you , if you want to use WILL or Present Continuous Tense for showing Future Arrangement or Plan. If a person uses WILL instead of Present Continuous Tense and if another person uses Present Continuous Tense instead of WILL ,so none of them can criticize each other because both of them are right.

That's it in this lesson! Do solve the following exercise to check how much you understood this lesson.

Exercise No.1 :Change the following sentences into Present Continuous

1.    She will clean the room tomorrow.

       

2.    Aslam will not attend the next class.

       

3.    Will Sara give you a present on your birthday?

       

4.    I will eat that cake tomorrow.

       

5.    They will compete with The Tigers next week.

       

6.    I will visit my aunt next Sunday.

       

7.    Rashid will come from Pakistan after a month.

       

8.    We will never play with them again.

       

9.    Salma will clean her room this Sunday.

       

10.  They will dig a whole in the ground tomorrow.

       

 

Check Answers

1. She is cleaning the room tomorrow.
2. Aslam is not attending the next class.
3. Is Sara giving you a present on your birthday?
4. I am eating that cake tomorrow.
5. They are competing with The Tigers next week.
6. I am visiting my aunt next Sunday.
7. Rashid is coming from Pakistan after a month.
8. We are never playing with them again.
9. Salma is cleaning her room this Sunday.
10. They are digging a whole in the ground tomorrow.