Present simple for the future
When future events happen according to a public timetable (like trains, flights, cinema, opening hours of an organization, calendar, classes etc.), we use the present simple to talk about actions in the future.
It is not someone's personal schedule but it is global for everyone who uses it.
We often use these verbs:
arrive — leave/depart
open — close
begin — end
start — finish
Examples
The store closes at eight p.m.
The train arrives at 3:12.
What time does the news programme start?
See the difference between personal arrangements and public timetable.
| Personal (= true for me) | Public (= true for everyone) |
|---|---|
| I'm seeing the doctor at 10:40 tomorrow. | The doctor starts seeing patients at 8 a.m. |
| I'm eating out tonight. | The restaurant serves oysters tonight. |
| On Saturday, I'm staying home to watch a webinar. | The webinar begins at 11 a.m. |