本單元是關於度假打算的對話。
Helen: So what are we all doing at Christmas? Tim, you've got a few days off work, haven't you?
Tim: Indeed I have Helen, and I'm popping over to Poland for a few days. I'm looking forward to a nice cosy Christmas. Fancy joining me?
Helen: I've already been invited, thank you very much. Michal and I had quite a long chinwag the other day. It'd be nice to see him but I've already made plans. I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad, and Alice, it would be really nice if you could join us.
Alice: Thanks Helen, I'd love to. But you know I'm working over the New Year, so I'll have to come back before you do.
Tim: Yeah, but at least you won't be on your own for the main event.
Vocabulary: 字彙
to pop over: 去某地
to visit briefly
cosy (adj): 感覺舒適
warm and comfortable
fancy joining me?: 想要一起去嗎？
would you like to join me?
over the New Year:新年期間
for a period of time around New Year
to have a chinwag:聊過天
to have a chat
the main event:重大活動
the most important occasion (here, Christmas day)
本單元語言點是現在進行式表示未來的安排，請看下面的'解釋和例句
Present continuous for future arrangements
Present continuous for future arrangements 以現在進行式表示未來的安排
English speakers often use the present continuous tense (subject 'be' = verb-ing) to talk about future arrangements. A future arrangement is a plan that you have decided and organised with another person.
I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad.
We're meeting Susan at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Sometimes the arrangement is between a person and a group of people, or an organisation or company:
I'm working over the New Year. (this arrangement is between Alice and her employer)
They are flying to New York tomorrow morning. (they have made this arrangement with the airline)
It is not always necessary to state who the arrangement is with. For example, Tim says:
So what are we all doing at Christmas?
I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm looking forward to a nice cosy Christmas.
Alice and Helen understand that Tim is talking about arrangements, even though he does not say who the arrangements are with.
Present continuous for things which you are about to start doing 以現在進行式表示即將從事之動作
English speakers often use the present continuous tense to talk about things they are about to start doing. This is especially common with verbs of movement, such as go, come, leave etc.
I'm going to bed now - goodnight.
Will you help me finish the housework? - Sorry, I can't, I'm leaving for work now.
Time expressions 表達時間
Time expressions are often (but not always) used when present continuous is used to talk about future arrangements.
I'm working over the New Year.
They are flying to New York tomorrow morning.
So what are we all doing at Christmas?
I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm going to bed now
