Language of the Day: Talking about Plans
It’s summer and everyone is making plans with their friends to get out and enjoy this beautiful Vancouver weather. But discussing your plans in English isn’t always as simple as using the future tense.
Did you know that Canadians will usually use the present tense to talk plans about the future?
This is something a lot of our students have trouble incorporating into their speaking, so let’s practice:
What is the Present Continuous?
The Present Continuous tense is when we conjugate our verbs with to be + ing
Example: I am taking an English course.
She is walking her dog on the seawall.
We are staying in a hotel downtown.
Normally, we use this to describe something is happening right now; an event that is in progress.
However, when talking about our plans for the future, we also use the present continuous.
This is mainly used when the plans are:
100% certain
In the near future
Instead of saying “I am going to go to the store” or “I will go to the store" we use the present continuous and say “I am going to the store” even if this event is still in the future.
Example: Tomorrow, I’m meeting my friends for lunch.
Next summer, my family is travelling to Spain.
After she graduates, she is getting her bachelor’s degree at UBC.
What are your plans for the weekend? For the summer?
Let us know in the comments and use the present continuous!