Talk About Your Schedule
A plan is WHAT, a schedule is WHEN. It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done.
~ Peter Turla, author
This is the first lesson of THE FUTURE series. At the end of this week you will be able to plan your ideal year in an effective way.
Today, you are learning how to talk about your schedule using the Simple Present Tense. You will see specific examples related to school, work, travelling and special events.
Examples:
- My English lesson starts at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.
- Our meeting is at 3.
- I have to go. My train leaves in an hour’s time.
- The concert begins at 7.
What is a schedule?
A schedule is a plan that gives a list of events or tasks and the times at which one should happen or be done. — Collins Dictionary
UK pronunciation: “shed-yul”
US Pronunciation: “sked-yul”
When we are talking about schedules or timetables, we use the Simple Present because we are mainly dealing with facts.
How to Talk About Your Schedule
At School
Our time at school has to be well-organised. This is why we use timetables to show us when lessons start or end.
Examples:
- I have music at two o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow.
- Our P.E. lesson is at 4 this afternoon.
- We begin our new course on Wednesday next week.
YOUR TURN: Are you a student? What’s your schedule like tomorrow? Talk about it!
At Work
The workplace resembles a school setting in many ways. We also have timetables or fixed schedules that enable us to carry out our tasks in an orderly way.
A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labour with both hands at sections of time.
~Annie Dillard, author
Examples
- Our meeting starts at noon.
- The annual conference begins on Thursday.
- The board convenes at 10 o’clock today.
YOUR TURN: Do you work? What’s your schedule like this afternoon? Talk about it!
When Travelling
Buses, trains, ferries, ships or planes are expected to leave or arrive on schedule for maximum efficiency. You will often see huge timetables at bus depots, trains stations, ports or airports.
Examples
- Our plane takes off at 5.
- We sail at 6 in the morning.
- The train arrives in half an hour’s time.
YOUR TURN: Have you planned a trip to go somewhere? What’s your schedule like? Talk about it!
When Talking About Special Events
Events such as concerts or film screenings often have programmes with fixed times or dates.
Examples:
- The Sho Madjozi’s concert starts at seven this evening. I just can’t wait to see her.
- The theatre company begins performing at three this afternoon. We have to leave at eleven if we want to get any seats.
- The avant première screening of her new film is at 8 p.m. I love this actress and I am looking forward to seeing her play this new and challenging role.
YOUR TURN: Are you planning to go to a special event? What’s the schedule like? Talk about it!
That’s all or today!
Further Exploration
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