Future Continuous
B2 Upper IntermediateThe future continuous describes actions that will be in progress at a specific point in the future. It is often used to discuss scheduled events or to make polite inquiries about someone's plans.
Overview
The future continuous focuses on the duration or the continuity of an action at a particular future time. It suggests that an event will start before a specific point and likely continue after it. It is also frequently used to project ourselves into the future to visualize an ongoing scene.
- To describe an action in progress at a specific time: At 10 PM tonight, I will be sleeping.
- To predict or discuss trends: In five years, more people will be working from home.
- To ask politely about future plans without sounding demanding: Will you be using the car later?
Form
will + be + [verb]-ing
The structure remains consistent for all subjects. In negative sentences, not is placed between will and be. In questions, will moves to the front of the clause.
Future Continuous vs. Future Simple
Use the future continuous when you want to emphasize that the action is a background state or a routine event rather than a new intention.
| Future Simple (will do) | Future Continuous (will be doing) |
|---|---|
| Focuses on the completion of an action or a decision made at the moment. | Focuses on the process or the duration of an action already planned. |
| I will have dinner at 8:00 (I start then). | I will be having dinner at 8:00 (I am in the middle of it). |
Examples
Common mistakes
I will be knowing the answer tomorrow.
I will know the answer tomorrow.
Stative verbs (like know, want, believe) are generally not used in the continuous form.
When you arrive, I will be wait for you.
When you arrive, I will be waiting for you.
The future continuous always requires the present participle (-ing) form of the main verb.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'At this time tomorrow, I ________ (fly) to New York.'
Show answer
will be flying
Answer:will be flying
Why:The sentence refers to an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future (this time tomorrow).
Change this question to be more polite using the future continuous: 'Will you go to the supermarket later?'
Show answer
Will you be going to the supermarket later?
Answer:Will you be going to the supermarket later?
Why:The future continuous is often used to ask about plans politely because it implies the action is already happening as part of a routine.
True or False: We use the future continuous with the verb 'understand'.
Show answer
False
Answer:False
Why:'Understand' is a stative verb, and stative verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses.