1

I would like to know what is the difference between these two examples and can I use them both with the same meaning?

  1. When do you arrive tomorrow?

  2. When are you arriving tomorrow?

Improve this question
2
  • For all practical purposes, they're equivalent. Both are colloquial English, though,grammatically, the first elides "plan to" or "expect to", i.e., "When do you expect to arrive tomorrow?" The second is grammatically correct, though.
    – DrMoishe Pippik
    May 17, 2020 at 20:33
  • 2
    Don't answer in comments
    – James K
    May 17, 2020 at 20:36

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

[1] we use the present simple to refer to events in the future if there is a clear schedule.

"When do you arrive tomorrow?" (Here, your arriving tomorrow is scheduled.)

[2] We use the present continuous to indicate "a fixed plan" in near future :

"When are you arriving tomorrow?"

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    I don't understand it yet!
    – Abu Omar
    May 18, 2020 at 10:19
  • Use simple present for a scheduled action in future. Use present continuous for a fixed plan in near future.
    – Sandip Kumar Mandal
    May 18, 2020 at 11:21
  • @AbuOmar Think of this usage as: Are you scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
    – Lambie
    Oct 22, 2021 at 15:22

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .