The document discusses the use of the present continuous tense to refer to future arrangements or plans. It notes that the present continuous is commonly used with expressions like "tonight", "tomorrow", "this weekend" to indicate plans at a fixed time in the future. It also states the present continuous is more appropriate than the present simple or future forms like "going to" when used with verbs describing travel arrangements like "go", "come", "leave", "arrive". The present continuous emphasizes the pre-arranged nature of the future event being discussed.

1. The present continuous for
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
EF Pre-Intermediate
3B

2. We often use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS with a
future meaning, especially for
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
(PLANS WE HAVE MADE AT A FIXED TIME OR PLACE IN THE FUTURE)

3. DON’T USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE FOR
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
I see some friends tonight
I’m seeing some friends tonight
It’s very common to use the present
continuous with the expressions tonight,
tomorrow, this weekend …
and with verbs describing travel
arrangements, like go, come, leave,
arrive, etc.

4. Going to or present continuous?
• Very often you can use either with no difference
in meaning, but the present continuous is more
common with the expressions and verbs
mentioned before.
I’m going to see Anna on Tuesday or I’m seeing
Anna on Tuesday
But
I’m leaving on Monday is better than I’m going to
leave on Monday