In English, the present continuous tense (present continuous) is often used when talking about things we have already planned to do in the future.
I've got my ticket. I'm leaving on Thursday.- I'm seeing Julie at 5 and then I'm having dinner with Simon.
- He's picking me up at the airport.
- The company is giving everyone a bonus for Christmas.
In many situations when we talk about future plans, in English, we can use either the present continuous tense or the future form 'going to'. However, when we use the present continuous tense, it is primarily in cases of a suggestion, rather than talking about something that is already planned.
- I'm going to see him./I'm seeing him.
- I'm going to do it./I'm doing it.
We also use the simple present tense in English when talking about events in the future that are part of a program or timetable (timetabled). In this case, we can also use the present continuous tense (present continuous).
- My plane leaves at 6 in the morning.
- The shop opens at 9.30.
- The sun rises a minute earlier tomorrow.
- My plane is leaving at 8.30.
- The shop is closing at 7.00.
- The sun is rising at 6.32 tomorrow.
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