The Future Continuous
The Future Continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Form: will be + verb-ing.
The Future Continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Form: will be + verb-ing.
When we use it
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| action in progress at a future time | This time tomorrow I will be flying to London. |
| polite questions about plans | Will you be using the car tonight? |
| predicted ongoing situations | Don’t call at 8 — we ‘ll be having dinner. |
Future Continuous vs ‘will’“I will finish the report tomorrow” = the whole action. “I will be working at 9pm” = in the middle of it at that moment. Use the continuous to stress the action is ongoing at a point in time.
Form
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | will be + verb-ing | She will be studying. |
| Negative | won’t be + verb-ing | They won’t be coming. |
| Question | Will + subject + be + verb-ing | Will you be joining? |
Examples from EduCareer
- At 10am tomorrow, Aisha will be taking her speaking test.
- Will you be attending the live session this week?
- This time next month, Omar will be studying at B2 level.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersIt has three parts that must stay together: will + be + verb-ing. Don’t drop “be” (“I will studying” is wrong) and don’t drop “-ing” (“I will be study” is wrong). Practise the full chunk: “will be doing,” “will be working.”
Common mistakes
- I will studying at 9. → I will be studying at 9.
- She will be study tomorrow. → She will be studying tomorrow.
- Will you to be coming? → Will you be coming?
Practise with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."This time tomorrow I ___ to London."
in progress at a future time.
2.Form of Future Continuous:
will be + -ing.
3."Don't call at 8 — we ___ dinner."
ongoing at that time.
4."___ you be using the car tonight?"
Will + subject + be + -ing.
5.Negative form:
won't be + -ing.
6."At 10am she ___ her test."
in progress at 10am.
7.Which is correct?
will be + -ing.
8."This time next month, Omar ___ at B2."
ongoing future situation.
9.Which is correct?
no 'to' after will.
10."They ___ (not) come to the party."
won't be coming.
11."I ___ the report tomorrow." (whole action)
complete action → will + verb.
12."At midnight we ___ still ___."
will be driving.
13."___ they be joining the call?"
Will + be + -ing.
14."She ___ at the library this evening."
will be studying.
15.What does Future Continuous stress?
in progress at a future point.
16."This time on Friday, I ___ on a beach."
ongoing future.
17."He ___ (not) be working tomorrow."
won't be working.
18."What ___ you be doing at noon?"
will be doing.
19."We ___ a meeting from 2 to 4."
in progress during that period.
20.Choose the correct sentence:
will be + -ing.
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