ESL Grammar - Tenses

ESL Grammar: FUTURE TENSE (10) – Future Tense / Present Continuous Tense

In this ESL grammar lesson, students learn that the present continuous tense is also sometimes used to express the future tense. Students then practice rewriting future tense sentences with the present continuous construction.

ESL Grammar: Forming the Present Continuous Tense

The present continuous tense is formed using the verb “to be” (am/is/are) + the -ing form of the main verb. Here are some examples:

  • I am meeting my friends tomorrow.
  • She is starting a new job next week.
  • They are traveling to Japan next month.

ESL Grammar: Using the Present Continuous Tense for Future Events

The present continuous tense is often used to express planned future events or arrangements that are scheduled to happen soon. Here are some situations where the present continuous tense is appropriate:

  • Scheduled meetings and appointments: I am seeing the doctor at 5 PM.
  • Future travel plans: We are flying to New York next Friday.
  • Social arrangements: They are having a party this weekend.

The English grammar lesson below introduces the use of the present continuous tense to express the future tense, in a clear and simple manner that is easy for beginner English learners to understand. Our series of ESL grammar lessons on subjects and verbs introduce these concepts and reinforce them through helpful and instructive exercises.

This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many more English grammar lessons focusing on basic English tenses (present tense, present continuous tense, past tense, future tense) in our comprehensive, beginner-level ESL grammar textbook Great, Great Grammar! (Book 2: Tenses).

gilesb13

Recent Posts

Adult ESL Lessons: Arguments Against Zoos (Advanced)

This is Lesson 47, "Arguments in Favor of Zoos," from our book of advanced adult…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Arguments in Favor of Zoos (Advanced)

This is Lesson 47, "Arguments in Favor of Zoos," from our book of advanced adult…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: The Post Office and the Bank (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): "The Post Office and the Bank." This lesson starts with a…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Urban Problems (Intermediate)

Adult ESL Lessons (Intermediate): "Urban Problems." This lesson features a reading passage about positive and…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Last Week (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): "Last Week." This lesson starts with a short timeline about what…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Grocery Shopping (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): Grocery Shopping. This lesson starts with a short story about "Charles"…

55 years ago