Future Continuous

or Future Progressive

1: We use the future continuous to talk about an

action in the future that overlaps another,

shorter action or a time. The action in the future

continuous usually starts before and might

continue after the second action or time. This is

very similar to how we use the past continuous

in the past. The verb after 'when' is usually in

the present simple.

• I'll be waiting when you arrive.

• At eight o'clock, I'll be eating dinner.

2: We can use the future continuous to talk

about something that will happen if everything
happens as we expect. This is sometimes called
future
• The asGovernment
a matter of course. It's usually
will be making possible later.
a statement
to• choose
When the
will future
you besimple as (This
leaving? well, but we often
is more polite than 'when will you leave?'
choose the future
because continuous
it's definitely not abecause
requestthen it's to leave.)
for you
clear that we are not making a request or offer.
Remember, we can't use the future continuous with stative verbs, so if we
want to use a stative verb in one of the situations where we need to the future
continuous, then we use the future simple with 'will'. Definition of the
Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is
defined as a tense that is used to “refer to temporary actions and events that
will be in progress at a particular time in the future.” According to the Collins
Dictionary, the future continuous tense is used “to suggest that something is
about to happen or will happen at some time that is not clear or precise.”
Structure and Formula of the Future Continuous
Tense
To have a more detailed idea of the future continuous tense, take a look at
the formula and structure of the tense.

The formula of the future continuous tense is as follows:

Subject + Helping verbs (will + be) + present participle form of the verb + the
rest of the sentence

Now, analyse the structure of the future continuous tense to see how the
sentence structure changes when used as a positive, negative, interrogative
and negative interrogative sentence.

Structure of Future Continuous Tense

Positive Negative Interrogative Negative

Interrogative

Subject Subject + Will Will + Subject + Be Will + Subject + not +

+ Helping not be/Won’t + Past participle be + Past participle
verb (will + be + Past form of the verb + form of the verb + the
be) + Past participle form the rest of the rest of the sentence
participle of the verb + sentence
form of the the rest of the (or)
verb + the sentence
rest of the Won’t + Subject
sentence + be + Past
participle form of
the verb + the rest
of the sentence

For example: For example: For For

Balu will be Balu will not be example: Will Balu be example: Will Balu not
performing at performing at performing at the be performing at the
 the the International event in International event in
International International Australia? Australia?
event in event in (or)
Australia. Australia.
Won’t Balu be
(or)
performing at the
Balu won’t be International event
performing at in Australia?
the
International
event in
Australia.

Rules and Points to Remember When Using the

Future Continuous Tense
Like the present continuous tense and the past continuous tense, the future
continuous tense consists of two helping verbs – ‘will’ and ‘be’ followed by the
past participle form of the main verb. The past participle of the main verb can
be formed by adding an ‘ing’ to the end of the verb. The tense can be made
negative by adding ‘not’ after ‘will’. When used in the interrogative form, the
sentence starts with ‘will’ followed by the subject, ‘be’ and the past participle
form of the verb.

Furthermore, always keep in mind that the future continuous tense can be
used only with action verbs and never with stative verbs. This is mainly
because only action verbs can be done for a particular duration. Also,
remember that the action mentioned in the future continuous tense would
have started earlier but would not have been completed at that particular
point in time.

What Do You Use the Future Continuous Tense For?

The future continuous tense can generally be used to,

• Denote an action that takes place at a specific time in the future.

 • Also used to express an action that will take place over a period of time and does
not happen all at once in that time.
• To compare between the present and the future.
• To indicate that there is more than one action taking place at the same point in
time in the future.

Examples of the Future Continuous Tense

Now, take a look at the following examples to have an in-depth analysis of
how the future continuous tense can be used in sentences.

Denoting an action that takes place at a point of time in the future

• I will be watching the new marvel movie along with my brother at 4:30 p.m.
tomorrow.
• Susan will not be sleeping at that time.

Expressing an action that will take place over a period of time and
not all at once

• The judges will be announcing the winners of the competition at 5 p.m on

Tuesday.
• According to the plan, we will be meeting at the park around 11 a.m.

Comparing between the present and the future

• This time next month, we will be travelling to Canada.

• He might not be bold enough to make a decision now, but he will definitely be
living a good life in the future.

Indicating more than one action taking place at the same time in
the future

• I will be going to school at 8 a.m, so I can drop her off as well.

• Sheena told me that she cannot make it to the reception tomorrow because
she will be travelling to Bangalore.

Some Simple Examples of Future Continuous Tense

 • I will be writing the letter tomorrow.
• The baby will be playing the whole night.
• I will be helping my mother to make breakfast.
• Sheldon will be eating the cake later.
• Penny will be running in the marathon tomorrow.
• She will be taking her dog for a walk.
• Ritz will be coming to our place soon.
• My mother won’t be working tomorrow.
• The series won’t be releasing this month.
• Who will be waiting for John at the railway station?
• Will I be sleeping here?
• I will be arriving at the station by 5:00 P.M.
• My friends will be coming over for lunch tomorrow.
• Will you be doing laundry tonight?
• I will be watering the plants tomorrow morning.
• Shyam will be visiting his aunt tomorrow.
• I will be joining the new office from next week.
• My parents will be flying to Delhi tomorrow.

Rajesh will be staying at the hotel on Friday. Put the verbs into the correct form
(future I progressive).

1. At midnight we (sleep)

2. This time next week we (sit) at the beach.

3. At nine I (watch) the news.

4. Tonight we (cram up) for our English test.

5. They (dance) all night.

6. He (not / play) all afternoon.

7. I (not / work) all day.

8. (eat / you) at six?

9. (drive / she) to London?

10. (fight / they) again?

•