Future simple and present continuous + practice exercises

Definition of the Future Simple and Present Continuous Tenses

To grasp the disparity between the Future Simple and Present Continuous tenses, it’s essential to have a precise understanding of the concepts behind these two grammatical structures.

The Simple Future tense is utilized to express actions and intentions that occur spontaneously at the moment of speaking. In both formal and informal English, the Simple Future, often constructed with ‘will,’ is employed when discussing events that have not been preplanned.

Lessons learn the future simple and present continuous.

Comparing the Future Simple and Present Continuous

Differences exist not only in the structure of the Future Simple and Present Continuous tenses but also in their affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentence constructions.

Note:

The subject “I” is paired with “to be” as “am.”

The subjects “You/we/they” are paired with “to be” as “are.”

The subjects “He/she/it” are paired with “to be” as “is.”

What is the Difference Between the Simple Future and the Present Continuous?

Based on the above definitions, we can easily discern the distinction between the Future Simple and the Present Continuous, which lies in the timing of the actions mentioned in the sentence. The Future Simple is used for actions in the future occurring at the time of speaking, while the Present Continuous is employed for actions that are happening at the very moment of speaking.

Specifically, the usage and meaning of each tense are as follows:

With the Simple Future tense:

How to use the future simple.

Expressing Actions Scheduled for the Future with a Formal Tone

Example: I will meet Mr. William tomorrow. (Tomorrow, I will meet Mr. William.)

Expressing a Spontaneous Decision Made at the Moment of Speaking

Example: Okay, I will help you! (Okay, I’ll help you.)

The Future Simple Tense is Utilized for Making Unfounded Predictions

Example: I believe she will arrive at the meeting on time.

With the Present Continuous Tense:

Present continuous usage

The Present Continuous Tense is Utilized to Describe Actions Occurring at the Present Moment

Example: The baby is sleeping.

It is Used to Describe Actions Happening Around the Present Moment

Example: He is writing a book. (He is currently writing a book.)

Temporary Actions in Progress

We are staying at a hotel. (We are currently staying at a hotel.)

It Describes an Ongoing Trend

Example: The prices of homes are increasing.

When Referring to Repeated Actions with a Negative Connotation

Example: They are always making noise.

Indicators to Distinguish Between the Future Simple and Present Continuous

To distinguish between the Future Simple and the Present Continuous, pay attention to the presence of adverbs of time in the sentence.

Indicators of the Simple Future Tense:

• Adverbs of time in the sentence such as: Now, right now, at the moment, at present, at + specific time (at…)
• Verbs in the sentence like: Look! (look at it), listen! (listen), keep silent…

Indicators of the Present Continuous Tense:

• Adverbs of time in the future, commonly seen in sentences: In + time (in …), tomorrow, next day, next week/next month/next year
• The presence of opinion verbs in the sentence like: Think, believe, suppose, perhaps, probably…

Exercises on the Simple Future and Present Continuous with Suggested Answers

Building upon the fundamental theoretical understanding of the Simple Future and Present Continuous provided above, let’s further reinforce this knowledge through the exercises below, enabling a quicker grasp of the lesson!

Complete the exercises related to the future simple and present continuous tenses.

Exercise 1: Select the correct answers to complete the sentences from the provided options.

Question 1: Mary __________ to some customers right now.

1. talking

2. is talking

3. are talking

Question 2: Will Robert be in town next week?

1. Yes, he’ll.

2. Yes, he will.

3. Yes, heh.

Question 3: Why are you __________ the car?

1. stoppin

2. stopping

3. stopping

Question 4: Don’t worry. I __________ to call you.

1. won’t forget

2. won’t forget

3. won’t account

Question 5: Peter’s flight __________ right now.

1. taking off

2. is taking off

3. take off

Level 6: Hurry up! The pharmacy __________ soon.

1. closed

2. will closed

3. will close

Question 7: I’m very thirsty. I __________ some water, please.

1. need

2. needing

3. are needed

Question 8: We __________ London this year.

1. ar’ent visiting

2. are’nt visiting

3. aren’t visiting

Question 9: What time __________ in Amsterdam?

1. you will arrive

2. arrive you

3. will you arrive

Question 10: I think __________ be home around 6:00 today.

1. she’ll

2. sh’ell

3. shell

Answer:

Question 1: Mary is talking to some customers right now.

Question 2: Will Robert be in town next week?

Answer: Yes, he will.

Question 3: Why are you stopping the car?

Question 4: Don’t worry. I won’t forget to call you.

Question 5: Peter’s flight is taking off right now.

Question 6: Hurry up! The pharmacy will close soon.

Question 7: I’m very thirsty. I need some water, please.

Question 8: We aren’t visiting London this year.

Question 9: What time will you arrive in Amsterdam?

Question 10: I think she’ll be home around 6:00 today.

Exercise 2: Give the correct form of the verbs in brackets

Question 1: If I come) __________ to New York next month, I (connect) __________ you.

Question 2: They (make) __________ a lot of noise tonight

Question 3: He (not be) __________ in the office so late. He usually leaves at 6:00

Question 4: What he (cook) __________?

Question 5: I’m really tired. I think I (go) __________ to bed now.

Question 6: Are they (arrive) __________ today? Yes, they are.

Question 7: John: Did you make an appointment with the doctor? Lyla: No, I (call) __________ him now.

Question 8: He’s (come) __________ home at 8:00

Question 9: We’re slightly delayed. We (not pick) ___________ you up at 7:00. We (pick)__________ you up at 7:15.

Question 10. Please be quiet! You always (make) ___________ so much noise so I can’t concentrate

Answer:

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences using the given suggested words and use them appropriately

Question 1. Minh/ here/ tomorrow/ come/ not.

Question 2. Look/ schoolyard/ in/ my brother/ play/ football.

Question 3. Tomorrow/ I/ sunny/ think.

Question 4. Now/ my father/ listening/ radio/ the.

Question 5. My mother/ rain/ stay at home/ if/ it.

Question 6. I/ time/ not/ tomorrow/ have.

Question 7. Study/ Minh/ London/ present.

Question 8. Close/ the bank/ at 5:00.

Question 9. At the moment/ not/ have/ a bath/ Binh.

Question 10. She/ her shoelaces/ type.

Answer:

Question 1: Minh will not come here tomorrow.

Question 2: Look! My brother is playing football in the schoolyard.

Question 3: I think it will be sunny tomorrow.

Question 4: My father is listening to the radio now.

Question 5: My mother will stay at home if it rains.

Question 6: I won’t have time tomorrow.

Question 7: At present Minh is studying in London.

Question 8: The bank will close at 5:00.

Question 9: Binh is not having a bath at the moment.

Question 10: She is typing her shoelaces.

I hope you can distinguish between the future simple and present continuous through this article. Please continue to visit the GoodHeathPlan.com website daily and explore the Learn English section for more valuable insights!