Question

Tom wants you to visit him but you are very busy. Look at your diary and explain to him why you can't come.
TOM : Can you go out with me on Wednesday evening?
YOU : Sorry, but I am going to the theater with my mother on Wednesday.

TOM : Well, are you free on Thursday?
YOU : I'm afraid that _______ Julia on Thursday.

• A. I'm meeting / I am meeting
• B. I've met / I have met
• C. I was meeting
• D. I meet

Answer 1

The correct option is A I'm meeting / I am meeting

The present continuous tense is formed with the subject plus the present particle form (-ing) of the main verb and the present continuous tense of the verb to be: am, is, are.

In this particular sentence, we can understand that the statement is based on something which is happening. The present continuous tense is a grammatical tense that can be used to describe when an action happened, or may happen. You can use it to describe both events that are happening in the present – right now, while you are talking about something, or in the future – something that may or will happen later on. So, we would be using present continuous tense for the given blank.

Now, in continuous tense, the verb always ends with an '-ing', which eliminates B and D. "Was" cannot be used in case of present continuous tense eliminating C.

This makes, Option A correct.