I'm working (personal arrangements or not?)

[ademoglu]

Hi,

''Why don't you come out tonight?''
''Sorry, I'm working / I work.

The key: 'I am working'.
The source: New Headway Elementry Workbook (page 63)

Since there is no context given, I feel a little confused. As is seen in the link, ''[t]he present continuous tense is mainly used to talk about personal arrangements and fixed plans. (http://www.englishgrammar.org/difference-present-continuous/)

Does 'I'm working' refer to the personal arrangements? What if the boss told me to go to work tonight? If so, it is not a 'personal' arrangements for me.

Could you please help me with that?

Thanks.

 

[teechar]

Does 'I'm working' refer to the personal arrangements?

Yes, it does. A personal arrangement just means an arrangement related to some person.
Note that "I work" is wrong. That just states a general fact. For example,
A: Are you a student?
B: No, I work.

 

[ademoglu]

Let's say that my boss says that I have to work at 7 p.m. tonight and that is only for tonight - not something happening every night. After that, if one of my friends asks me out, saying, 'why don't you come out tonight?'' and then I can answer ''Sorry, I'm working' even if that is not my plan at all, but that of my boss. Am I right?

What I mean is that I can use the present continuous in that sentence, since it is a personal arrangement, although it is not my choice/plan. That is, it is not something scheduled but an arrangement that is related to the other person.

This is what I have understood from your humble answer.

Am I correct?

Thanks a lot!

 

[teechar]

can answer ''Sorry, I'm working" even if that is not my plan at all, but that of my boss. Am I right?
This is what I have understood from your [STRIKE]humble[/STRIKE] answer.
Am I correct?

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

You can use both "Sorry, I'm working" or "Sorry, I'll be working" as your excuse for not going out.