Future Continuous
Definition
The Future Continuous Tense describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It shows that an action will continue for a period of time in the future.
Formula: Subject + will be + Verb (base form + ing) + Object
Tip: Use this tense to talk about actions that will be happening at a certain future time, or when describing planned future activities.
Uses of Future Continuous Tense
| # | Use | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ongoing actions in the future | To express an action that will be in progress at a specific future time. | I will be studying at 8 p.m. They will be sleeping when we arrive. |
| 2 | Planned future activities | To talk about something that is already decided or arranged for the future. | We will be traveling to Paris next month. She will be working late tonight. |
| 3 | Polite inquiries | Used for polite questions about someone’s future plans. | Will you be joining us for dinner? Will they be coming tomorrow? |
Sentence Structures
Positive Structure
Subject + will be + Verb (ing form) + Object
1) She will be studying English.
2) I will be playing football.
3) They will be watching a movie.
Negative Structure
Subject + will not (won’t) be + Verb (ing form) + Object
1) She won’t be studying English.
2) I won’t be playing football.
3) They won’t be watching a movie.
Interrogative Structure
Will + Subject + be + Verb (ing form) + Object?
1) Will she be studying English?
2) Will you be playing football?
3) Will they be watching a movie?
Negative Interrogative Structure
Won’t + Subject + be + Verb (ing form) + Object?
1) Won’t she be studying English?
2) Won’t you be playing football?
3) Won’t they be watching a movie?
Common Signal Words
Here are some signal words that commonly appear with the Future Continuous Tense:
- at this time tomorrow
- next week / next month
- soon
- in the evening
- while
Examples in Context
- 1) I will be studying for my test at this time tomorrow. (Positive)
- 2) She won’t be watching TV in the evening. (Negative)
- 3) Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow? (Interrogative)
- 4) Won’t he be working at 10 a.m.? (Negative Interrogative)
- 5) They will be playing cricket next weekend. (Positive)
- 6) I won’t be traveling next month. (Negative)
- 7) Will she be cooking dinner at 8 p.m.? (Interrogative)
- 8) Won’t we be staying at the hotel tomorrow? (Negative Interrogative)
- 9) We will be meeting the manager next week. (Positive)
- 10) He won’t be working tomorrow morning. (Negative)
- 11) Will you be studying in the evening? (Interrogative)
- 12) Won’t they be coming next Friday? (Negative Interrogative)
- 13) She will be reading a book at this time tomorrow. (Positive)
- 14) I won’t be joining the event next Sunday. (Negative)
- 15) Will it be raining tomorrow evening? (Interrogative)