Grammar · Talking About the Future
Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
We are racing on Sunday. The tickets are booked, the day is fixed. When an -ing form talks about the future, with the film Luca.
Grammar › Talking About the Future › Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
The rule in one sentenceUse the present continuous, am / is / are + verb-ing, for a future plan that is already fixed, with a time or place decided (we are racing on Sunday); use going to for an idea or plan without fixed details (we are going to win one day).
About the film
Luca is a Pixar film from 2021. Luca is a young sea monster who lives under the water near a small town in Italy. When he is on land, he looks like a human boy. He meets Alberto, another sea monster, and they dream of buying a Vespa and seeing the world. In town they make friends with Giulia, a girl with a big plan: “We are racing in the town race on Sunday!” They are training every morning. Luca and Alberto have a secret: if they get wet, they turn back into sea monsters. And everybody in town is afraid of sea monsters.
What does it do?
The present continuous usually talks about now: Luca is swimming. But with a future time word, the same form talks about a plan. Not just any plan. A plan that is fixed, with a day, a time or a place already decided.
am / is / are + verb-ing means the plan is in your diary. going to means you want to do it, but the details are not fixed yet.
Look at the first two tiles. There is a day: Sunday, tonight. The plan is fixed. In the last two tiles there is no day. It is a dream, not a diary.
In speech, the present continuous almost always uses short forms:
Luca is swimming in the sea right now. Luca is swimming in the race on Sunday.
Same form. The first is now. The second is the future, because of “on Sunday”.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
am / is / are + verb-ing — a fixed plan
We are racing on Sunday.
Luca isn’t going home tonight.
isn’t / aren’t + verb-ingAre you coming to the race tomorrow?
Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing?going to + verb — an idea or plan
Luca is going to buy a Vespa one day.
Alberto isn’t going to tell anyone their secret.
isn’t / aren’t going to + verbAre they going to win?
Am / Is / Are + subject + going to + verb?When to use each one
present continuous — fixed
going to — an idea
Words that help: fixed or not?
Look for a time word. A fixed time or day points to the present continuous. A vague word points to “going to”.
present continuous → with these
going to → with these
Common mistakes
❌ We race on Sunday. I already have the tickets.
✅ We are racing on Sunday. I already have the tickets.
A fixed personal plan uses the present continuous, not the present simple.
❌ Luca is buying a Vespa one day.
✅ Luca is going to buy a Vespa one day.
“One day” is not fixed, so use “going to”.
❌ I meeting Giulia at nine tomorrow.
✅ I am meeting Giulia at nine tomorrow.
The present continuous always needs am, is or are.
❌ I think Giulia is winning the race next week.
✅ I think Giulia will win the race next week.
A guess about the future uses “will”. You cannot plan to win.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
Timetables use the present simple, not the present continuous. A train, a shop, a film at the cinema: these have official times.
✅ The train to the city leaves at seven tomorrow. (the timetable)
✅ Luca is taking the seven o’clock train tomorrow. (his personal plan)
Official time: present simple. Your own plan: present continuous.
Practice: fixed plan or idea?
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. We ___ in the race on Sunday. Giulia signed us up.
A fixed plan with a day → are racing.
2. Alberto ___ see the whole world one day.
“One day” is not fixed → going to.
3. ___ you ___ to Giulia’s house for dinner tonight?
A question about a fixed plan → Are … coming?
4. Luca ___ his parents tomorrow morning at eight.
A fixed time → is meeting.
5. They ___ save money for a Vespa. They have no plan yet.
An intention, no details → going to.
6. Giulia ___ to school in the city in September.
A fixed personal plan → is going.
7. The train to the city ___ at seven every morning.
A timetable → leaves.
8. I ___ to the race tomorrow. I have my ticket here.
The present continuous needs “am” → am going.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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Hear this grammar used for real — Beginner English listening practice. Full movie reviews in slow, clear English, levelled for Beginner learners. One new episode every week, free, with a transcript. BeginnerFree playlistWatch on YouTube