Present Simple for Schedules

When an event is on a schedule or timetable (for example, the take-off time for a plane), we often use the present simple to express the future. We usually also use a future word (expressed or understood) like tomorrow, at 6.30pm, next week.

Only a few verbs are used in this way, for example:

• be, open, close, begin, start, end, finish, arrive, come, leave, return

Look at these sentences:

• The train leaves Detroit at 9pm tonight.
• John starts work next week.
• Tomorrow is Thursday.