Present continuous for future - What are you doing tomorrow?

The present continuous (be + verb-ing) can describe definite plans or arrangements in the near future. We often use it when a time expression (tomorrow, next week, on Monday) is included and the action is already arranged or scheduled.

• Use it for planned actions or fixed arrangements.
• Usually accompanied by a time expression: tomorrow, next week, tonight.
• Common in spoken and business English to talk about meetings, trips, and appointments.

Use the present continuous to describe fixed plans or personal arrangements that are already decided.

• We use it with verbs of action (meet, have, present, fly) when the plan is confirmed.
• Include a time expression (tomorrow, next Monday) to clarify the future moment.
• For timetabled public events (trains, classes) the simple present is more common: "The train leaves at 6."

Think: be + -ing = arranged plan (especially with a time word).

Learners often make predictable errors when using the present continuous for future.

• Using the simple present instead of present continuous for personal arrangements: "I meet the client tomorrow." (less common for personal plans).
• Using 'will' for fixed arrangements: "I will meet the client tomorrow." (will is for decisions made at the moment or predictions).
• Forgetting the -ing form after the auxiliary be: "I am meet the client."
• Putting the time expression in the wrong place, which can make the sentence awkward.
• Using present continuous for timetabled public schedules instead of the simple present.

Check auxiliary (am/is/are) + verb-ing and include a clear time expression for planned actions.