Present continuous and present continuous for the future

Present simple

Present continuous

We can often use either the present simple or will to talk about future events that are part of some time tabled or programmed arrangement or routine, However, we prefer the present simple for fixed, unchangeable events.

Does the sale finish on Thursday or Friday?

The sun rises tomorrow at 5:16 tomorrow.(More likely than The sun will rise...)

We avoid the present simple when we talk about less formal or less routine arrangements, or predictions, instead we use will, be going to, or the present continuous..

Are you staying in to watch TV tonight, or do you come?

It's only a problem in Britain now, but it will affect the rest of Europe soon)

We use the present simple, not will, to refer to the future -

In time clauses with conjunctions such as after, as soon as, before, by the time, when, while, until:

In conditional clauses with If, in case, provided, and unless:

When we talk about possible future events with suppose, supposing, and what if at the beginning of a sentence. Note that the past simple can be used with a similar meaning:

When you see Ben, tell him he still owes me some money.

Provided the right software is available, I should be able to solve the problem.

Suppose we miss the bus-how will we get home?

I should be finished by the time you get back.

I'll bring some sandwiches in case we don't find anywhere decent to eat.

What if the train's late? Where shall I meet you then?

We can often use either the present continuous or be going to with a similar meaning to talk about planned future events. The present continuous indicates that we have a firm intention or have made a definite decision to do something, although this may not already be arranged:

Are you seeing the doctor again next week?

I'm not asking Tom to the party.

However, we don't use the present continuous for the future:

When we make or report predictions about activities or events over which we have no control (we can't arrange those).

When we talk about permanent future situations:

I think is going to rain soon.

People are going to live/will live longer in the future.

Scientists say that the satelite won't cause any damage when it falls to earth.

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Her new house is going to have/ will have three floors

Many people avoid be going to + go/ come and use the present continuous forms of go and come instead:

I'm going to town on Saturday.

Are you coming home for lunch?