Future Continuous

The future continuous describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

Formation

Affirmative

will + be + verb-ing

Contraction: I’ll be working, She’ll be working

Examples:

• This time tomorrow, I**‘ll be flying** to Paris.
• At 8 pm, she**‘ll be watching** TV.
• They**‘ll be waiting** for us.

Negative

will + not + be + verb-ing

• I won’t be working tomorrow.
• She won’t be coming to the party.
• They won’t be using the car.

Questions

Will + subject + be + verb-ing?

• Will you be working late?
• Will she be using the car?
• What will they be doing?

When to Use Future Continuous

1. Action in Progress at a Future Time

What will be happening at a specific moment:

• This time tomorrow, I**‘ll be sitting** on the beach.
• At 10 am, she**‘ll be taking** her exam.
• Next week, they**‘ll be traveling** through Europe.
• What will you be doing at 8 tonight?

2. Planned/Expected Events

Events that will happen as part of the normal course of things:

• I**‘ll be seeing** John tomorrow. (I regularly see him)
• She**‘ll be going** to the supermarket later. (her usual routine)
• We**‘ll be passing** your house. Shall we pick you up?

3. Polite Inquiries About Plans

Asking what someone has already decided (more polite than “will”):

• Will you be using the car tonight? (Can I use it?)
• Will you be going to the shops? (Can you get something for me?)
• Will you be needing this? (Can I take it?)

4. Parallel Future Actions

Actions happening at the same time in the future:

• While I**‘ll be cooking**, he**‘ll be cleaning**.
• She**‘ll be working** while the children are at school.

5. Predictions About Now

What someone is probably doing now:

• Don’t call her now. She**‘ll be sleeping**. (probably)
• He**‘ll be wondering** where we are.
• They**‘ll be waiting** for us.

Future Continuous vs. Simple Future

Examples:

Completed vs. In progress:

• I**‘ll finish** the report by 5. (completed by 5)
• I**‘ll be working** on the report at 5. (in progress at 5)

Decision vs. Expected:

• I**‘ll see** him and tell him. (I’ll make sure to)
• I**‘ll be seeing** him tomorrow anyway. (it’s expected)

Directness vs. Politeness:

• Will you use the car? (direct question)
• Will you be using the car? (politer, asking about plans)

Common Time Expressions

• this time tomorrow/next week
• at 8 pm / at this time
• in an hour / in a week
• all day / all week
• while

Examples:

• This time next week, I’ll be relaxing on vacation.
• At midnight, everyone will be celebrating.
• In an hour, we’ll be landing.

Practice

Choose the correct form:

1. “This time tomorrow, I ___ (fly) to New York.” → I**‘ll be flying** to New York.

2. ”___ you ___ (use) the computer later?” (polite) → Will you be using the computer later?

3. “At 8 pm, don’t call me. I ___ (have) dinner.” → I**‘ll be having** dinner.

4. “Don’t worry, I ___ (see) her anyway, so I’ll tell her.” (expected) → I**‘ll be seeing** her anyway.