The train leaves at 7

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • present simple for timetables

The present simple for timetables and schedules, often about the future: The flight leaves at 7:10 and lands in Denver at 9:45. Doesn't… until and What time does… questions. From the schedule for a two-day work trip to planning a day out on an island with a ferry timetable.

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leaves at 7startsdoesn't stop

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: your trip to DenverReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the timetable verbsGrammar exercise
  6. 6The present simple for timetablesGrammar rule
  7. 7Choose the right formGrammar exercise
  8. 8The festival programGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12A day on the islandSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: the class tripGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which is correct?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: a weekend plan for a visitorDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. What time does your favorite store or café open on weekends?
  2. When does the last bus or train leave the center of your town at night?
  3. Do you check timetables and opening hours before you go somewhere, or do you just go?

Grammar rule

The present simple for timetables

A fixed time on a timetable or a program

Use the present simple for a time that a timetable, a program or a calendar fixes: planes and trains, opening hours, classes, games, shows, events. Very often, the time is in the future.

Example
PositiveThe soccer game starts at 8:00 and ends at about 9:50.
NegativeThe 9:15 train doesn't stop in Elm Grove.
QuestionWhen does the parade begin? · Does the bookstore close for lunch?
  • Verbs we often use: leave, depart, arrive, get in, land, take off, open, close, start, begin, finish, end, run (every…), last, take (an hour)
  • Time words: at 8:00 · from 9 to 5 · until noon · every twenty minutes · on Mondays · tomorrow · next week
  • not … until = not before: The kids' show doesn't start until four.
Today, tomorrow or next month: when the time is fixed, the present simple works. The store closes in an hour. · Spring semester begins on January 12.

Watch out

  • -s with he, she, it: The parade begin at noon. → The parade begins at noon.
  • Questions need does: When the parade begins? → When does the parade begin?
  • After does and doesn't, no -s: does it begin, doesn't stop (not does it begins, doesn't stops).
  • Only for fixed times, not for guesses: I think it snows tonight. The present simple is for what a timetable or a calendar says.

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