Present continuous for future arrangements
Present continuous for future arrangements 以现在进行式表示未来的安排
English speakers often use the present continuous tense (subject + 'be' = verb-ing) to talk about future arrangements. A future arrangement is a plan that you have decided and organised with another person.
I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad.
We're meeting Susan at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Sometimes the arrangement is between a person and a group of people, or an organisation or company:
I'm working over the New Year. (this arrangement is between Alice and her employer)
They are flying to New York tomorrow morning. (they have made this arrangement with the airline)
It is not always necessary to state who the arrangement is with. For example, Tim says:
So what are we all doing at Christmas?
I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm looking forward to a nice cosy Christmas.
Alice and Helen understand that Tim is talking about arrangements, even though he does not say who the arrangements are with.
Present continuous for things which you are about to start doing 以现在进行式表示即将从事之动作
English speakers often use the present continuous tense to talk about things they are about to start doing. This is especially common with verbs of movement, such as go, come, leave etc.
I'm going to bed now - goodnight.
Will you help me finish the housework? - Sorry, I can't, I'm leaving for work now.
Time expressions 表达时间
Time expressions are often (but not always) used when present continuous is used to talk about future arrangements.
I'm working over the New Year.
They are flying to New York tomorrow morning.
So what are we all doing at Christmas?
I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm going to bed now.
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