VocabNote
TensesIntermediate

Future Continuous

The Future Continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a specific moment in the future. It is formed with will be + verb-ing. It is often used to talk about planned or expected ongoing activities.

WHEN TO USE

Use for an action that will be in progress at a specific future moment, for planned future actions, or to politely ask about someone's future plans.

STRUCTURE

positiveS + will be + V-ing

This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Tokyo.

negativeS + won't be + V-ing

She won't be working next Monday.

questionWill + S + be + V-ing?

Will you be using the car tonight?

SIGNAL WORDS

  • at this time tomorrow
  • at 8 o'clock tomorrow
  • this time next week
  • in an hour
  • all day tomorrow

EXAMPLES

This time next week, we will be relaxing on the beach.

Don't call at 9 PM — I will be sleeping.

Will you be coming to the party?

They will be playing football all afternoon.

I won't be working this Friday.

SPELLING RULES (HE/SHE/IT)

Most verbsadd -ingplay → playing, work → working
Ends in silent -edrop -e, add -ingcome → coming, drive → driving
Short verb ending in consonant-vowel-consonantdouble final consonant + -ingsit → sitting, swim → swimming

COMMON MISTAKES

Tomorrow at 8, I will sleep.

Tomorrow at 8, I will be sleeping.

For an action in progress at a specific future moment, use will be + V-ing, not will + V

Will you be knowing the answer?

Will you know the answer?

Stative verbs (know, believe, understand) don't use continuous forms

Tip

Great for polite questions: 'Will you be using the printer?' sounds softer than 'Will you use the printer?'. It implies you're checking their plans, not making a request.

Tenses