The Present Continuous (I am doing) is used when speaking about something that has been arranged to happen.
□ A: What are you doing tonight? В .: I'm going to the football match.
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□ A: My sister is leaving tomorrow.
В .: Oh, is she? What time is she leaving?
□ A; I'm seeing him tomorrow {= we've arranged to meet).
It is also possible to use 'going to(do)'\n these sentences (though the Present Continuous is preferable):
□ What are you going to do tonight?
The Present Indefinite (Simple) is used when talking about timetables, programmes, etc.
□ What time does the lecture begin?
□ The plane takes off at 4.30.
□ Tomorrow is Christmas.
EXERCISES
Ex. 1. (A, B) Write about your friend's plans for the coming summer vacation.
Example: (Ben/go/Siberia/train) - Ben is going to Siberia by train.
1. (Lucy/stay/in the South of France/with her aunt)_____________________________
2. (Roy/take/his younger brother/Canada/his parents)___________________________
3. (Letty/spend/a fortnight/Rome)___________________________________________
4. (Peter and John/hike/the Swiss mountains)_________________________________
5. (Miranda/go/round Greek islands/cruising boat)______________________________
Ex. 2. (A, B) Your relatives are preparing to leave for the country for summer. Ask them about their arrangements.
Example: (when/leave) When are vou leaving?
1. (travel/by train?)_______________________________________________________
2. (take/a lot of things?)___________________________________________________
3. (your animals/go/with you?)_____________________________________________
4. (let/your flat/for the season?)_____________________________________________
5. (rent/a car?)__________________________________________________________
Ex. 3. (В, С) Put the verb into the Present Continuous or the Present Simple.
Examples: My daughter is leaving (leave) for Paris next Friday. Does your train arrive (train/arrive) at 7.00 or 7.30?
1. They_____________ (open) a new exhibition next month.
2. I see, you've packed all your things______________ (you/go away).
3. The shops here______________ (open) at 7.00 and______________ (close) at 5.30.
4. The performances at our theatre______________ (start) at 7.30.
5. What time______________ (the plane for Moscow/leave)?
6. Daddy, we______________ (go/for a swim)._______________ (you/come) with us?
7. I hear, you_____________ (launch) a new programme soon.
Ex. 4. (В, С) Translate into English.
А.: Давай пойдем в театр завтра.
В:. Извини, мне бы очень хотелось, но я завтра работаю допоздна.
А.: Тогда как насчет среды?
В.: Боюсь, я не могу- Я встречаю родителей в аэропорту.
А.: Ну, а что ты делаешь в субботу вечером?
В.: Я играю в теннис в эту субботу.
А.: Понятно. А в воскресенье вечером ты свободна?
-В.: В воскресенье у нас вечер встречи (reunion party) в школе.
11.2 " ТО BE GOING TO../'
"going to (do)" is used:
1. when one says what one intends to do in the future.
□ A.: Are you going to watch the ten o'clock news? В .: No, I'm too tired, I'm going to have an early night.
□ I'm going to see this film (= I want to.., I intend to...).
□ I was going to phone Eve, but I came home too late.
2. when the speaker knows something is about to happen. Usually there is something in the
present situation that makes the speaker sure about what will happen:
□ Look at that little boy at the puddle. He is going to fall into it!
□ The sky is overcast with black clouds. It's going to rain.
EXERCISES
Ex. 5. (A, B) Say when you are going to do something.