The present simple to talk about the future. In Level A2, we have already looked at how the present continuous and will can both be used to talk about the future. On this page, we will also look at the 2 ways the present simple can also be used for the future.

As you should already know, the present simple is normally used to talk about habits, facts and routines. Here are some simple examples:

• I love chocolate!
• He speaks Spanish and English.
• Water boils at 100 degree celsius.

However, when you are talking about a future event that is timetabled, we can also use the future. For example:

• His bus leaves at 5pm tonight.
  My first class starts at 11am on Monday.

We can also use the present simple for the future when the sentence already has certain words that have a future meaning. For example:

• I’ll send you an email when I get to the office.
• I’m going out after I finish work tonight.
• Please call me as soon as you get the results!

Common words where the present simple can have a future are:  when, after, as soon as, and until.