Page 483 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

present tenses (4): progressive (or 'continuous') 464
4 talking about the future
We do not normally use the simple present to talk about the future.
I promise I won't smoke any more. (NOT 1 promise .. tHm't SI7I61ee any m6re.) We're going to the theatre this evening. (NOT We gtJ t6 the theatre this
evening.)
There's the doorbelL ~ I'U get it. (NOT 1get it.)
However, the simple present is used for 'timetabled' future events (see 215). His train arrives at 11.46. I start my new job tomorrow.
And the simple present is often used instead of will . .. in subordinate clauses that refer to the future. (For details. see 580).
I'll kill anybody who touches my possessions. (NOT ••• wh6 Mil t6~eh ...)
I'll phone you when I get home. (NOT ••• when I'll get h6me.)
The simple present is also used in suggestions with Why don't you ...?
Why don't you take a day offtomorrow?
5 series of events:
demonstrations, commentaries, instructions, stories
When we talk about series of completed actions and events. we often use the simple present. This happens. for example. in demonstrations. commentaries. instructions and present-tense stories (see 465 for more details).
First I take a bowl and break two eggs into it. Next . .. (NaT First: am taking a b6wl ...)
Lydiard passes to Taylor. Taylor shoots - and it's a goal!
How do I get to the station? ~ You go straight on to the traffic lights, then you
tum left, ....
So I go into the office, and 1 see this man, and he says to me ...
6 how long? present tenses not used
We use a perfect tense, not a present tense, to say how long a present action or situation has been going on. (See 460 for details.)
I've known her since 1960. (NOT liffl6ft1 her siltee 1969.)
464 present tenses (4): progressive (or 'continuous')
1 present progressive: forms
am/are/is + -ing 1am waiting.
Are you listening? She isn't working today.
For double letters in words like sitting, stopping. see 562. For passive fonns (e.g. 11le lVork is being done). see 412.
2 use: 'around now'
We use the present progressive to talk about temporary actions and situations that are going on now or 'around now': before, during and after the moment of speaking.
Hurry up! We're all waiting for you! (NOT Vie all ftItIit . . .)
What are you doing?~l'm writing letters. (NOT ••• 1 rmite letters.) ~
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