Learn English – Present Simple vs Future Simple vs Present Continuous vs “Going to” vs Future Obligation for events in near future

future-tensepresent-continuouspresent-simplepresent-tensewill-vs-going-to

Grammar tells us that Present Simple, Future Simple, Present Continuous, Future obligation, and "Going to" can all speak about the events that take place in the future. But for near future events what is better to use and what is correct?

  • The shop opens at 8am tomorrow morning.
  • The shop will open at 8am tomorrow morning.
  • The shop is opening at 8am tomorrow morning.
  • The shop is going to open at 8am tomorrow morning.
  • The shop is to open at 8am tomorrow morning.

What about Present Continuous, Future obligation, and "Going to"? Can we use them for objects and things? I've known so far that this is wrong.

  • The bus is leaving in ten minutes. (Wrong)
  • The bus is going to leave in ten minutes. (Wrong)
  • The bus is to leave in ten minutes. (Wrong)
  • The bus leaves in ten minutes. (Correct)
  • The bus will leave in ten minutes. (Correct)

Edit. A few more sentences add to the list:

  • The bus shall leave in ten minutes.
  • The bus should leave in ten minutes.

Best Answer

Future indicative:

The bus is leaving in ten minutes. grammatical

The bus is going to leave in ten minutes. grammatical

If things go as usual or if things are to go well:

The bus should leave in ten minutes it usually leaves then.

The bus should leave in ten minutes. or it will be late

Requirement:

The bus is to leave in ten minutes. This bus must leave in 10 minutes

The bus shall leave in ten minutes. ditto†

The contract states that "Supplier shall deliver the merchandise not later than the 15th day of each month" and that "Customer may terminate this agreement early without penalty should Supplier ever fail to make a timely delivery."

†Some speakers use shall as well with future indicative. That is exceedingly rare in AmE.

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