English Grammar – Intermediate

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Warm-Up Question:

What activities are you planning for your next vacation? Explain your ideas.

Grammar Focus

We use the present continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing) to talk about future plans or arrangements that are already decided. These are often social events, appointments, or scheduled activities.

Examples:

• “I am meeting my friend at 2 p.m. tomorrow.”
• “She is flying to Chicago next week.”
• “We are having dinner with our neighbors on Friday.”
• “They are taking the train to Boston in the morning.”

This grammar is different from “will” because it’s about things that are already planned. We usually use time words like “tomorrow,” “next week,” or “on Saturday.” Always use the correct form of be for the subject: “I” am, “He/She/It” is, “You/We/They” are.

🗣️Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking

Knowing this grammar helps you talk naturally about the future in real-life conversations. It’s especially useful when you’re making plans, confirming schedules, or responding to invitations.

This is helpful in conversations like:

• Talking about appointments:
  
  • “I’m seeing the dentist at 4.”
• Making or checking weekend plans:
  
  • “Are you meeting your friends on Saturday?”
• Workplace scheduling:
  
  • “We are presenting the project on Monday.”
• Travel planning:
  
  • “She is flying out tomorrow morning.”

Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.

Use these questions to talk about your future plans. Practice using “am/is/are + verb-ing” and ask your classmates follow-up questions.

1. Daily Plans:
   
   • What are you doing after school today?
     ➤ For example: “I am meeting my friend, and I am having dinner with my family in the evening.”
2. Weekend Schedule:
   
   • What are you and your family doing this weekend?
     ➤ For example: “First, we are visiting our cousins. Next, we are going to the park.”
3. Appointments or Classes:
   
   • Do you have anything scheduled this week?
     ➤ For example: “I’m taking an English test on Friday.”
4. Group Activities:
   
   • What are your classmates doing this afternoon?
     ➤ For example: “They are working on a group project.”
5. Social Life:
   
   • What are your friends doing tonight?
     ➤ For example: “Mario is going to a concert, and his sister is staying home.”
6. Fun Plans:
   
   • What are you doing for fun this week?
     ➤ For example: “I am watching a new movie on Thursday.”
7. Special Events:
   
   • Are you doing anything special this month?
     ➤ For example: “We are celebrating my birthday next weekend.”

Beginning | Intermediate | Advanced