Future Continuous helps you communicate about ongoing future actions, expected routines and polite questions about plans. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can describe an action that will be in progress at a future time.
- Recognise and build the form: will be + verb-ing.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Future Continuous for ongoing future actions, expected routines and polite questions about plans. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
This time tomorrow, we will be flying over the Pacific.
Use the future continuous for an action in progress at a future time.
At eight tonight, I will be preparing the presentation.
The activity will be in progress at the stated future time.
Will you be using the meeting room this afternoon?
Use the future continuous for a polite question about someone's plans.
will be + verb-ingKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use the future continuous for an action in progress at a future time.
- The activity will be in progress at the stated future time.
- Use the future continuous for a polite question about someone's plans.
- Use the future continuous for an expected temporary future arrangement.
- Use this tense for an activity expected to be in progress then.
Common mistakes
Not:This time tomorrow, we will fly over the Pacific.
Use:This time tomorrow, we will be flying over the Pacific.
Use the future continuous for an action in progress at a future time.
Not:At eight tonight, I will prepare the presentation.
Use:At eight tonight, I will be preparing the presentation.
The activity will be in progress at the stated future time.
Not:Do you be using the meeting room this afternoon?
Use:Will you be using the meeting room this afternoon?
Use the future continuous for a polite question about someone's plans.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
They ____ with us during their visit.
will be staying
Use the future continuous for an expected temporary future arrangement.
Don't call at six; we ____ dinner then.
will be having
Use this tense for an activity expected to be in progress then.
Next week, she ____ from the Singapore office.
will be working
The future continuous describes a temporary ongoing future situation.