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Present Simple | Scheduled Events

In the following conversation, Joe and Sue discuss going to a concert. Notice how they use the present simple to talk about times in the future.

Joe: Oh man, I am so excited for the concert tonight but I forgot the time. When does it start again?

Sue: Well, the doors open at 7 but the concert doesn't start until 8. The main act doesn't play until 9-ish.

Joe: Oh, great. Well, let's meet then at  so we can get a good seat.

Sue: I don't think I can get there that early. My shift doesn't end until 7 and the bus doesn't leave from the stop until 7:15. According to the schedule it should arrive at 7:40 though.

Joe: Oh, okay, well, that's fine. Well, let's meet at the gate then at a quarter to eight.

Sue: Sounds good. Oh, and can you give me a lift home? The last bus for my house leaves at 10, and that's an hour before the concert ends.

Joe: Sure! No problem

Grammar Notes

Point 1: When an activity is a scheduled event that is open information to many people, we use the present simple even when talking about the future. Events like work schedules, bus times and movie times are common examples.
  1. The movie starts at three.
  2. My plane departs at noon and arrives at five.
Point 2: When talking about scheduled events, we often talk about starting times with the negative construction 'not ... until'
  1. The bus does not leave until 5 o'clock.
  2. My vacation does not start until July.
Point 3: We often use the verb 'end' to talk about when something finishes.
  1. The movie ends at ten.
  2. My shift at work does not end until midnight.
Point 4: Be careful to use the third person singular when necessary.
  1. The movie starts at 7. (It starts at 7)
  2. The game doesn't begin until noon. (It doesn't begin until noon.)
Answer these questions about the interview.

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Vocabulary Challenge

Complete the sentences with the words below.
end • begin • start • leave • arrive
  1. The movie until eight.
  2. My shift at noon.
  3. My vacation until next week.
  4. Most buses from this station.
  5. My flight at midnight.
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