Guide to the Simple Present for the Future – TOEIC® Preparation

Although it usually refers to habits or general truths, the simple present can also be used to express future events in very specific cases, particularly when discussing official schedules, fixed timetables, or events considered definitively planned.

1. Expressing a Scheduled Future: Timetables, Calendars, and Official Programs

The simple present can be used to convey an already organized future, especially when dealing with timetables (train schedules, movie times, TV grids, academic schedules, etc.). The central idea is that the event is part of a fixed plan and belongs to an official calendar that no one can change at will.

The bus arrives at 9:30 tomorrow.(Le bus arrive à 9h30 demain.)
Her train departs on Friday at 10:45 am.(Son train part vendredi à 10h45.)
The film begins at 8:00 pm tonight.(Le film débute à 20h ce soir.)
The seminar starts next Wednesday.(Le séminaire commence mercredi prochain.)
The store closes at 6 pm on Saturdays.(Le magasin ferme à 18h le samedi.)

Normally, the simple present expresses permanent facts, universal truths, or routines. But in these specific contexts, it implies that we are talking about a scheduled event or fixed data in the future. A railway timetable, for example, is perceived as definitive: it is a plan established in advance.

2. Using the Simple Present in Time Clauses

When expressing the future in a subordinate clause introduced by when, as soon as, after, before, if, unless, etc., we generally use the simple present rather than will. The meaning is definitely future, but English grammar requires using the simple present in the subordinate clause to project into the future, even if the action has not yet occurred.

I'll contact you when I get to the hotel.(Je te contacterai quand j'arriverai à l'hôtel.)
He will email you as soon as he completes the report.(Il t'enverra un email dès qu'il aura fini le rapport.)
If she comes late, we'll start without her.(Si elle arrive en retard, nous commencerons sans elle.)
They won't launch the project until the budget is approved.(Ils ne lanceront pas le projet tant que le budget n'est pas validé.)

3. Simple Present or “will” to Talk About the Future?

Will is often used to formulate predictions, promises, decisions made at the moment, offers of help, etc.

I will assist you with the presentation.

The simple present for the future, on the other hand, refers to a timetable, a schedule, a planned event that is generally difficult to change.

The concert starts at 7 pm.(information from an official schedule)

4. Simple Present or “be going to” to Express the Future?

Be going to often translates a personal intention, a project, or an individual plan, sometimes accompanied by concrete indicators showing that the action will soon take place.

She's going to visit her family next month.(C'est son intention, c'est un projet personnel.)

The simple present for the future maintains this idea of something fixed by a calendar or external circumstances, independent of the speaker's will.

My plane takes off at 5:30 am.(schedule imposed by the airline)

5. Simple Present or Present Continuous for the Future?

The present continuous expresses a personal arrangement, an already established organization, or a planned future action, often decided by the speaker or the people involved.

We're having dinner with clients tomorrow at 7 pm.(Nous dînons avec des clients demain à 19h – arrangement organisé par les deux parties.)

The simple present for the future, however, applies to events fixed by an official timetable or a program, independent of personal will.

The bus departs at 6:00 am tomorrow.(Le bus part à 6h demain – horaire prédéfini et immuable.)

Important nuance: In some situations, both forms are acceptable! You must therefore choose based on the overall context of the sentence.What time does the train leave? It leaves at 6 PM.What time does the train leave? It**'s leaving** at 6 PM.Here, the simple present indicates that it is a fixed schedule, whereas the present continuous gives an impression of imminent departure. Both mean the same thing in this context.

Conclusion

The future with the simple present is a common form in English and in the TOEIC®. But there are other future constructions that you must also master. Here are the lessons on the other future forms:

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