Present Simple for Schedules

A2 · ElementaryFuture Forms

For official timetables, English treats the future as if it were just another fact — using the same present simple you'd use for any routine truth.

What you'll learn

  • Same form as ordinary present simple: base verb (+s for he/she/it)
  • Used for official, fixed schedules — trains, flights, opening hours, school terms
  • Treats a future timetabled event as a scheduled fact, not a personal plan
  • Contrasts with the present continuous, used for personal arrangements

Official timetables as facts

When something is part of a fixed, official schedule — set by a timetable, a calendar, or an institution rather than by you personally — English uses the present simple, the same tense used for facts and routines.

"The train leaves at 6:15 tomorrow."
"The new term starts on September 3rd."

Vs. personal arrangements

This is different from a personal arrangement, which uses the present continuous instead — schedules are set by an institution or timetable, while arrangements are things you've personally agreed to do.

"The train departs at noon. (official schedule)"
"I'm having lunch with Sam at noon. (personal arrangement)"

Typical contexts

This use is especially common with transport (trains, flights, buses), opening hours, and institutional calendars (school terms, semesters, conferences).

"Our flight departs at 9am on Friday."
"The museum opens at 10am on weekdays."

Real English

"The store closes at 9pm on weekdays."
"The semester ends in May."
"What time does the last bus leave?"
"The conference begins on Monday and runs until Friday."

Watch out

✗The train leave at 6:15 tomorrow.
✓The train leaves at 6:15 tomorrow.

This is still ordinary present simple grammar — don't forget the -s for he/she/it (or a singular thing like the train).

✗The flight not departs on Sundays.
✓The flight doesn't depart on Sundays.

Negatives use doesn't/don't + base verb, just like any other present simple negative.

✗What time the store opens tomorrow?
✓What time does the store open tomorrow?

Questions need does/do before the subject, with the main verb back in its base form.

Real life — Planning a trip

"What time does our flight leave tomorrow?"

"It departs at 7am, so we need to leave for the airport by five."

"And what time does it land?"

"It arrives around noon, local time."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — an official train timetable.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — a fixed school timetable.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct answer

Which kind of event does this use of the present simple typically describe?

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct negative

Choose the correct negative — the flight isn't on the timetable this week.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct question

Choose the correct question about an official schedule.

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct answer

Which sentence is a personal arrangement, better suited to the present continuous instead?

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence

Complete: 'The plane ___ (land) at 10:45pm.' (official schedule)

Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence

Complete: 'What time ___ (the shop/close) on Sundays?' (question about a fixed schedule)

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

The train departs at noon.
I'm having lunch with Sam at noon.
The concert starts at 8.
We're seeing a concert with friends tonight.

0 / 4 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • The present simple describes official, fixed timetables as if they were facts.
  • It's common with transport, opening hours, and institutional calendars.
  • It contrasts with the present continuous, used for personal arrangements.
  • Formation follows ordinary present simple rules — don't forget -s and does/doesn't.

Related grammar lessons

ElementaryFuture Forms

Present Continuous for Future Arrangements

Learn how the present continuous, the same form used for actions happening right now, is also used for fixed personal arrangements in the future.

IntermediateFuture Forms

Future Continuous

Learn how to form and use the future continuous (will be + -ing) for an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future.

BeginnerFuture Forms

Be Going To

Learn how to use be going to for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on evidence you can see right now.

BeginnerFuture Forms

Will Future

Learn how to use will for predictions, promises, offers, and decisions made at the moment of speaking, plus how to form statements, negatives, and questions.

View all lessons in this category