Using present and present continuous to denote the future
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Alexanndra
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 4:33 am
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Using present and present continuous to denote the future
OK, so if the present continuous is supposed to denote an action that is in progress RIGHT NOW, why do we also use it to denote the FUTURE, as in "What are you doing this weekend?" or "I am having a barbeque on Friday". Also, it seems we use the present simple as well to denote the future, as in "I have a meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am" (not "I will have a meeting tommorrow at 9:00 am). So, how in the world should a student understand when to use the present, present continuous or for that matter future (and even then it can be either "will+verb" or "be going to+verb"!) to denote the FUTURE? I sure don't know how to explain it!
Re: Using present and present continuous to denote the futur
First of all, a "why" question is always a tough one to answer! Why do we use anything the way we do? Languages change and the "rule" we decide on today may be obsolete in fifty (or fewer! [not lessAlexanndra wrote:OK, so if the present continuous is supposed to denote an action that is in progress RIGHT NOW, why do we also use it to denote the FUTURE, as in "What are you doing this weekend?" or "I am having a barbeque on Friday".
] years).As a native speaker, I used to just explain that "will" and "going to V" were the future, and left it at that. However, as I continued along in my TESL career, read a lot of grammar books and thought about it, it is clear to me that all forms of the future are not the same.Alexanndra wrote:Also, it seems we use the present simple as well to denote the future, as in "I have a meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am" (not "I will have a meeting tommorrow at 9:00 am). So, how in the world should a student understand when to use the present, present continuous or for that matter future (and even then it can be either "will+verb" or "be going to+verb"!) to denote the FUTURE? I sure don't know how to explain it!
One of the things I found out was that the present continuous can be used to mean future tense in cases where there has been a plan made. For example:
This evening we're eating at the new restaurant downtown. We made reservations yesterday.
Next week I'm flying to Los Angeles. I've been looking forward to this trip for a long time.
I'm meeting John at 1:00 by the flagpole right after my next class finishes.
Another thing I "learned" from grammar books was the use of "will" when you volunteer at the moment of speaking. For example:
John's cooking something in the kitchen and suddenly realizes he is out of sugar. He says (deleting the expletives) "There isn't any sugar!" Mary overhears him and volunteers, "I'll get some!. I'll go right now."
Then Mary walks over to Tom, who is in the living room, and says, "I'm going (I'm going to go) to the store to get some sugar for John. Do you need anything?"
If you check some of the grammar books written for ESL students you will find a lot of these "rules." (By the way, a "rule" is an idea someone had to clarify things. I agree with most "rules" but sometimes I find one that doesn't work for me. )
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Alexanndra
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 4:33 am
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Thanks, Lorikeet, I like those two explanations... do you have anything for the use of the present SIMPLE for expressing future time? As in "tomorrow I have a meeting at 9:00 am". In this case, we really wouldn't use the present continuous...or would we? I've been in Mexico for over 8 years now, and I think my English is starting to fade! Also, I couldn't find any of those interesting rules you mentioned in my series, which is Azar. Do you know of a grammar book for teachers that helps with all those crazy "why" questions? I have the Alta catalogue and there are several, but I don't know which one would be the best. By the way, I'll be "back home" in Berkeley from October 27- Nov 2. I would love to sit in on one of your classes, if you wouldn't mind!
I agree with what Lorikeet says. Of course a language is in a general state of flux, and of course it is in a process of change, but for students – especially those starting off – it’s good to have some general ‘rules’ to orient themselves in the learning process. As they get better and become more confident, they start to see the irregularities in the language and notice how and when native speakers use a form different to the one they learned.
For me, personally, it’s useful to reduce these rules to a quintessence – for students it can sometimes be useful too, as a type of overview. I must add though (in case it wasn’t clear from above ! ) that I am a firm believe in what is known as ‘ambiguity tolerance’ – students have to learn to accept that language isn’t a set of firm and hard rules, that these ‘rules’ are ‘rules of thumb’.
As far as the future forms are concerned, this would be my ‘overview’:
Will – used for
- spontaneous decisions (“Here, I’ll help you!” / “I’ll get it!”)
- future facts we can’t influence (The ozone layer will decrease by 10% per year in the next ten years’ – often used for scientific, economic etc predictions)
Going to – used for
- plans (“I’m going to visit Martha at the weekend, do you want to come, too?)
- future results of a present action that you can see now (“Don’t leave that plate on the edge of the table. It’s going to fall.” / “Aaah! – aaah!” – she’s going to sneeze! – “-chooo!”)
Present Continuous
-we use for future plans that (we feel) are very certain “I’m leaving early today. I’m going out to dinner tonight.” / “She’s returning on the 15th of next month”)
Note: verbs like ‘go’ and ‘come’ are more often used in the Pres Cont, in my English anyway, than in the ‘going to’ form for future actions, i.e. we normally don’t say ‘I’m going to go’ – it’s too much!
Present Simple
- often used in the sense of appointments or schedules – or what we *personally* consider appointments or schedules, e.g. “I have a dentist’s appointment at 5 p.m.” /”The train leaves at 4.30 a.m.” / “Our plans for tomorrow? OK, we arrive at 8.30, then we have breakfast, then there’s the meeting…”
This is very short and sweet but perhaps helpful…
For me, personally, it’s useful to reduce these rules to a quintessence – for students it can sometimes be useful too, as a type of overview. I must add though (in case it wasn’t clear from above ! ) that I am a firm believe in what is known as ‘ambiguity tolerance’ – students have to learn to accept that language isn’t a set of firm and hard rules, that these ‘rules’ are ‘rules of thumb’.
As far as the future forms are concerned, this would be my ‘overview’:
Will – used for
- spontaneous decisions (“Here, I’ll help you!” / “I’ll get it!”)
- future facts we can’t influence (The ozone layer will decrease by 10% per year in the next ten years’ – often used for scientific, economic etc predictions)
Going to – used for
- plans (“I’m going to visit Martha at the weekend, do you want to come, too?)
- future results of a present action that you can see now (“Don’t leave that plate on the edge of the table. It’s going to fall.” / “Aaah! – aaah!” – she’s going to sneeze! – “-chooo!”)
Present Continuous
-we use for future plans that (we feel) are very certain “I’m leaving early today. I’m going out to dinner tonight.” / “She’s returning on the 15th of next month”)
Note: verbs like ‘go’ and ‘come’ are more often used in the Pres Cont, in my English anyway, than in the ‘going to’ form for future actions, i.e. we normally don’t say ‘I’m going to go’ – it’s too much!
Present Simple
- often used in the sense of appointments or schedules – or what we *personally* consider appointments or schedules, e.g. “I have a dentist’s appointment at 5 p.m.” /”The train leaves at 4.30 a.m.” / “Our plans for tomorrow? OK, we arrive at 8.30, then we have breakfast, then there’s the meeting…”
This is very short and sweet but perhaps helpful…
Sorry I don't follow your point Siân. The use of present continuous you show above is used in exactly the way I explained. In both of those sentences there is a pre-arranged plan. Your sentences are also perfectly acceptable for me as a native speaker.sita wrote:Hi!
Then I must say BE really differs.
I am having my house painted tomorrow.
This would be perfectly acceptable for me as a native speaker.
I am writing a report later etc etc
Best wishes
Siân
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Alexanndra
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 4:33 am
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico