I have an exam tomorrow.

[ratóncolorao]

Hello,
Let’s see: You say: “I have an exam tomorrow”, that is to say, the expression “to have an exam” is correct. However, in everyday language, no native speaker would ever say “I’m having an exam tomorrow/ next week” – while you feel comfortable with the sentence “I am taking an exam in two days”, which, on the other hand, follows the rule: present continuous with a future meaning.

My question is: why do you use the present simple “I have an exam tomorrow” when, in fact, you are making reference to the future? Wouldn’t it be more according to the rules to use “I am having an exam tomorrow”?

I really appreciate your help, thank you in advance.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Please refer to the rule below.
'THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE IS USED:
To express fixed arrangements, present or future.'── quoted from http://www.edufind.com/english-grammar/simple-present-tense/

Not a teacher.

 

[ratóncolorao]

Thanks, yes you are right. But we also use the present continuous to express actions that will take place in the near future and hardly any native English speaker would say " I am having an exam in two days" - is there a grammatical reason?

 

[emsr2d2]

I have an exam in two days.
I am taking an exam in two days.

 

[ratóncolorao]

why not "I am having an exan in two days"?

 

[TheParser]

However, in everyday language, no native speaker would ever say “I’m having an exam tomorrow/ next week."

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


What an interesting statement.

I have just googled "I'm having an exam," and it appears that many American native speakers would feel very comfortable in using such a sentence.

 

[emsr2d2]

That must be another AmE vs BrE difference. I find it very unnatural.