We are meeting VS We meet
Hi everyone! I want to ask about the right way of speaking about an ongoing action. I am noticed that we speak in indefinite tense when it comes to schedule/timetable, for example "My train leaves at 9:00 am". Meanwhile, we use progressive tense to speak about arranged actions: "I am speaking at the conference tomorrow at 13:45". I have passed a test related to this topic and I had a mistake in the sentence: "We are meeting in the reception at 5:30 pm" (my answer). But the correct answer was "We meet in ...". Can anyone explain me why it should be in indefinite tense? I made this decision because I considered the sentence was about arranged action. Thank you for advance!
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Answers · 3
1
Hi Dmitriy,
I think your original answer is correct, but it depends on the context. The way I tend to explain it to my students is like this (and you're right about scheduling vs plans):
"My plane to Rome leaves at 10am" - the plane leaves whether you're on it or not. It's independent of you.
"I'm leaving at 10am for Rome" - I am catching a flight, and it's my decision and firm plan.
But:
"I leave at 10am on a flight to Rome" - it's scheduled.
All refer to the same thing. The first and third are schedules or timetables, and the focus is more on the plane than on you. The second is about you.
The reception example is a bit odd: "We meet at 17.30 in the reception, and from there, we go to the restaurant for the conference dinner" - this is part of a timetable/schedule. "We are meeting at 17.30 in the reception, and we'll take things from there" - this is a firm arrangement with other people, but not necessarily part of a "schedule." Maybe it's an agreement between friends.
I think your answer is fine in the circumstances. The context of the original question could have been clearer, if they wanted the indefinite/simple form of the verb.
0
Number 3
1)To express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations, emotions and wishes:
I smoke (habit); I work in London (unchanging situation); London is a large city (general truth)
2) To give instructions or directions:
You walk for two hundred meters, then you turn left.
3) To express fixed arrangements, present or future:
Your exam starts at 09.00
4) To express future time, after some conjunctions: after, when, before, as soon as, until:
He'll give it to you when you come next Saturday.
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