Today, as part of our quick lesson, we are going to look at two present forms that we can use to talk about the future. Don’t be confused; I’ll show you how easy it is ☺
The two present forms we use for the future are the present simple and the present continuous.
Firstly take a look at a short email Eric sends to his mother containing the present simple and the present continuous.
Prima di tutto dai un’occhiata all’e-mail che Eric invia a sua madre e che include Present Simple e Present Continuous.
Hello, Mum!
Tomorrow I’m leaving for Australia. My plane leaves at 6 a.m. I need to take the night bus to the airport. It leaves the bus station at 3 a.m! I’m staying with some friends of mine for a month, which I’m really looking forward to. I chose to travel now because my exams are in June and I need to study a lot during that time. We are going to tour the west coast of Australia on a yacht with William’s parents. I’ll give you a call as soon as I arrive.
Domani parto per l’Australia. Il mio aereo parte alle 6 del mattino. Devo prendere l’autobus notturno per l’aeroporto. Parte dalla stazione degli autobus alle 3 del mattino! Starò da alcuni amici per un mese, e non vedo l’ora. Ho deciso di viaggiare adesso perché i miei esami sono a giugno e dovrò studiare molto in quel periodo. Faremo un tour in yacht della costa occidentale dell’Australia con i genitori di William. Ti chiamo appena arrivo.
Lots of love,
Eric
The present simple is used to talk about scheduled events.
Il Present Simple si usa per parlare di eventi pianificati.
Look at some examples from the above text:
– My plane leaves at 6 a.m.
– It leaves the bus station at 3 a.m.
– My exams are in June.
The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements or plans that we have made for the future.
Il Present Continuous si usa per parlare di programmi e piani che abbiamo preparato per il futuro.
Look at some examples from the above text:
– I’m leaving for Australia.
– I’m staying with some friends.
We also use the present simple after certain words or phrases, for example, “when” and “as soon as“.
Usiamo il Present Simple anche dopo alcune parole o espressioni, come “quando” e “non appena”.
For example,
– When I arrive in Australia, I’ll call you.
– Ti chiamo quando arrivo in Australia.
– I’ll call you as soon as I arrive.
– Ti chiamo non appena arrivo.
