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English grammar

Arrangements already made

A2 · Elementary Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

When something is arranged — a time is fixed, somebody else knows — English uses the present continuous with a future time word: I am seeing the doctor on Thursday. We are meeting at seven. This is not the same as going to, which is only your own intention; here the arrangement already exists.

Pattern

am / is / are + verb-ing + a future time · I am seeing the doctor on Thursday.

Examples

  1. I am seeing the doctor on Thursday.

  2. We are meeting at the station at seven.

  3. She is starting her new job on Monday.

  4. They are not coming this weekend.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I see the doctor on Thursday.

    Right: I am seeing the doctor on Thursday.

    A fixed arrangement takes am/is/are + -ing.

  • Wrong: We are meet at seven.

    Right: We are meeting at seven.

    The verb needs -ing after are.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I _____ meeting the landlord tomorrow.

    1. do
    2. are
    3. am
    4. is
    Show answer

    Answer: C I am meeting the landlord tomorrow.

    I takes am.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    She is _____ to Rome next week.

    1. fly
    2. flying
    3. flew
    4. flies
    Show answer

    Answer: B She is flying to Rome next week.

    The verb takes -ing.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    We _____ having a party on Saturday.

    1. am
    2. are
    3. is
    4. do
    Show answer

    Answer: B We are having a party on Saturday.

    we takes are.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    _____ you working on Friday?

    1. Do
    2. Are
    3. Did
    4. Will
    Show answer

    Answer: B Are you working on Friday?

    The question turns be round.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    He _____ not coming to the class tonight.

    1. did
    2. do
    3. does
    4. is
    Show answer

    Answer: D He is not coming to the class tonight.

    The negative uses be.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I start the course in September, it is arranged.
    2. I am start the course in September.
    3. I do starting the course in September.
    4. I am starting the course in September.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I am starting the course in September.

    A fixed arrangement takes be + -ing.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. We does leaving at six tomorrow.
    2. We are leaving at six tomorrow.
    3. We leaving at six tomorrow.
    4. We are leave at six tomorrow.
    Show answer

    Answer: B We are leaving at six tomorrow.

    be + verb-ing.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. She is see the dentist at four.
    2. She is meeting the dentist at four.
    3. They are seeing the dentist at four.
    4. She is seeing the dentist at four.
    Show answer

    Answer: A She is see the dentist at four.

    The verb needs -ing.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. They is coming on Sunday.
    2. They are coming on Sunday.
    3. We are coming on Sunday.
    4. He is coming on Sunday.
    Show answer

    Answer: A They is coming on Sunday.

    they takes are.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    We are meeting them at the airport

    Show answer

    Answer: We are meeting them at the airport.

    are, then the -ing verb.

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