have/having

24.01.09, 00:08
Can I say: "I'm having an appointment tomorrow" or should I use the Future
Simple Tense or "be going to" instead?
    • jonathan.oakley Re: have/having 25.01.09, 17:27
      "I have an appointment tomorrow." is the best way to express your
      example. For the Future Simple tense we use adverbs of time such as
      today; tomorrow; in two hours and so so.
      • marzena604 Re: have/having 27.01.09, 23:22
        Why would u use Present Simple here??????????? U mention adverbs of time used
        with Future Simple and we have TOMORROW in the sentence... I also feel confused
        coz I'm an English teacher (but not a native speaker of English) and I keep
        telling my students that "going to" and Present Cont. r used for furute
        plans-and I feel we have a plan in the sentence. Am I right?
        • alina.walkowiak Re: have/having 28.01.09, 21:42
          I think you're right :)
        • la_dolce_vita Re: have/having 28.01.09, 23:08
          marzena604 napisała:

          > Why would u use Present Simple here??????????? U mention adverbs of time used
          > with Future Simple and we have TOMORROW in the sentence... I also feel confused
          > coz I'm an English teacher (but not a native speaker of English) and I keep
          > telling my students that "going to" and Present Cont. r used for furute
          > plans-and I feel we have a plan in the sentence. Am I right?

          We would use present simple because you have already made an appointment and you 'have' it ie you are in possession of that booking/reservation today although the event is going to take place in the future.
          Imagine this conversation:
          A: I have an appointment.
          B: When for?
          A: tomorrow.

          Strictly speaking one should say: I have an appointment booked for tomorrow, but in reality no one speaks like that - for if you have an appointment - the booking must have been made, so there is no point stating the obvious.

          Consider this sentence: I can't come to work tomorrow, because I have an appointment.
          • la_dolce_vita Re: have/having - addendum 28.01.09, 23:15
            The idea of not following strict tense rules should not be foreign to you, as in polish you might say:
            Jutro mam wizyte u dentysty.
            • marzena604 Re: have/having - addendum 28.01.09, 23:59
              I know what u mean but my students need rules. And after all those years at
              school as a teacher I feel I'm more and more stuck to all those rules and less
              flexible. Thx for reminding me that language is sth alive ;) I need it from time
              to time :)
              • la_dolce_vita Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 00:12
                Adopt this rule: make it simple!!
              • vickydt Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 00:15
                It is funny that you stress being a teacher and you are not aware of using
                Simple Present tense! We DO use it meaning future appointments and schedules and
                it IS a rule!!!!

                And in writing we do not use contracted forms! Gosh, I am disgusted.

                When I was a child it was so rare to have English lessons at school that their
                level was really bad. But now? With such an access to the books and other
                materials it is unbelievable that teachers do not know the BASIC rules.
                • ann_a30 Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 09:27
                  OK, thanks anyone for the explanation. Sometimes people say 'What are you
                  wanting?' That's why I thought it relates to 'have/having' as well.
                  As for contracted forms: do we really not use them in informal writing and
                  Internet chat? Not to mention text messages:)
                • marzena604 Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 12:06
                  vickydt, we do not use contracted form in FORMAL writing. Is such writing like
                  here formal??? I don't think so...
                  • vickydt contracted forms 29.01.09, 12:20
                    Well, I was tought never to use them in writing, even in the letters to friends.
                    But as long as we, Polish people e.g. do not use in the text messages and in
                    Internet Polish letters in writing (ś,ć etc.) and even do not use the capital
                    letters when it is needed, such writing could be treated as very informal and
                    the contracted form aplly here?
                    • jonathan.oakley Re: contracted forms 29.01.09, 14:56
                      I have sympathy with most arguements as to when to use the
                      contracted form! For informal written English use of contractions is
                      fine-providing the communication is clear and not ambiguous. We
                      generally prefer to replace vowels instead of consonants and no more
                      should be replaced than is absolutley neccessary. They should also
                      be easy to say and sound pleasent to the ear.

                    • jonathan.oakley Re: contracted forms 29.01.09, 14:58
                      On this forum, it is fine to use contractions. It's good practice
                      for your English. :-)
                      • marzena604 Re: contracted forms 30.01.09, 00:45
                        Thanks for explanation :)
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