Using the present simple and continuous

Using the present simple tense

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Future time use

The present simple tense is sometimes used to express future time.

Fixed events

The simple present tense can be used to refer to "timetabled" or fixed events that will happen soon. A time adverbial such as next week and tomorrow is almost always necessary:

Red Cross officials meet Chinese representatives next week to discuss China's possible offer of humanitarian prison visits. (SCMP 13/11/93)

The food festival starts tomorrow at 4:00 pm and continues through the weekend. (SCMP 17/3/94)

In subordinate clauses

In subordinate clauses beginning with if or when, the present simple tense is used to talk about the future:

For further information about using the present simple tense to express future time, see Expressing future time: Using the present simple tense.

Introduction
Present time use: With verbs such as know, like, be and have
Timeless use: With actions and events
Present time use: At the moment of speaking
Past time use
Future time use