Lesson 259--The Future Using the Present Simple

 

 

Yes, in some cases, we can use present simple when we are talking about the future--that means there are quite a few ways to talk about the future (including "going to" and "will", but also some others.)

When we talk about things that are scheduled, like buses, trains and planes, we can use the present simple.  Other scheduled things include movies. concerts, and plays.

examples

My flight leaves at 9:00 and arrives at 4:30.

The bus departs around 2:45.

I have to be at the airport at 4:00 because the planes takes off just after 6:00.

The movie starts at 9:00, but there will probably be a lot of trailers.

The curtain goes up on the play around 8:45.

School at EC now starts at 8:30 for some students.

 

Lesson 233--Using the Present Simple

 

 

The present simple (or simple present) is a useful tense.  We can use it to talk about routine things that happen usually, or with some regularity, or that are facts.

examples

He works at EC Toronto.

Jane lives in Toronto.

The sun rises in the east.

Margaret goes to the gym three times a week.

Another, perhaps more interesting use of the present perfect is when we use it to talk about the future.  Whenever we talk about a scheduled event (like an airplane departure time, or arrival time) we can use the simple present to talk about it.

examples

John's flight leaves at 9 pm.

The game starts at 7:15.

I have to wake up early because my train leaves early.