Contents
The future continuous tense is used to talk about actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future. It shows that something will be ongoing, especially when we want to explain how one action will happen at the same time as another future action. This tense is an important part of English grammar and helps us describe future events clearly.
Future Continuous Tense Structures
The future continuous tense has different structures based on whether the sentence is affirmative, negative, or a question. Let’s look at these forms with examples:
Affirmative Sentences
The structure for affirmative sentences is:
Subject + will be + verb (ing form) + object
Examples:
- I will be studying tomorrow evening.
This means the action of studying will be happening tomorrow evening.
- They will be playing football at 5 p.m.
Playing shows an ongoing action at a specific time.
Negative Sentences
The structure for negative sentences is:
Subject + will not be + verb (ing form) + object
Examples:
- She will not be attending the meeting.
This means the action of attending will not happen.
- We will not be working on the project tonight.
The action working will not be happening tonight.
Interrogative Sentences
The structure for questions is:
Will + subject + be + verb (ing form) + object?
Examples:
- Will you be joining us for dinner?
This question asks if joining will be happening in the future.
- Will Ahmed be traveling next week?
This question asks if traveling will be happening next week.
Double Interrogative Sentences
The structure for double questions is:
Wh-question word + will + subject + be + verb (ing form) + object?
Examples:
- What will they be doing at 8 p.m.?
This question asks about an action at a specific time in the future.
- Why will he be working late?
This question asks for a reason for the future action.
Future Continuous Tense Chart
Subject-Verb Agreement
In the future continuous tense, we need to use the right subject and helping verb.
| Subject | Helping Verb |
| I, You, We, They | will be |
| He, She, It | will be |
| Names (Ali, Sarah) | will be |
| Plurals (dogs) | will be |
Time Expressions
Here are all the time expressions commonly used with the future continuous tense, along with examples:
- At 5 p.m. tomorrow: They will be preparing for the event at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
- Next week: I will be visiting my grandparents next week.
- By this time next year: She will be studying in Australia by this time next year.
- At this time tomorrow: He will be working in the office at this time tomorrow.
- In a few days: We will be starting our new project in a few days.
- Tonight: She will be baking a cake tonight.
- Later today: They will be meeting with the manager later today.
- By then: You will be resting comfortably by th
Adverb Placement
Adverbs can change the meaning of the verb in a future continuous tense sentence. Here are the rules for placing adverbs:
- After ‘will be’: The adverb usually comes right after will be. Example: He will be definitely attending the concert.
- Before the verb: Sometimes, especially with adverbs like always or probably. Example: She will probably be preparing dinner.
Uses of Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense has several uses. It can express future ongoing actions, polite questions, or make assumptions.
Expressing an action in progress at a specific future time:
- By this time tomorrow, I will be working in my new office.
Polite questions:
- Will you be using the car tonight?
This form makes the question more polite.
Future arrangements or plans:
- They will be having a meeting tomorrow morning.
This shows the meeting is planned for that time.
Assumptions: He will be staying with us next week. This shows an assumption that staying will happen.
Short Answers
Short answers in the future continuous tense help convey meaning quickly.
- Question: Will you be attending the party?
- Answer: Yes, I will.
- Question: Will they be practicing tonight?
- Answer: No, they won’t.
Question Tags
Question tags are used with different subjects, including singular and plural forms, to confirm information or seek agreement.
| Subject | Statement | Question Tag |
| He | He will be coming, | won’t he? |
| She | She will not be attending, | will she? |
| They | They will be joining us, | won’t they? |
| We | We will not be staying late, | will we? |
Examples of Future Continuous Tense in Use
Here are some examples of future continuous tense sentences:
Affirmative
- They will be traveling to Dubai next month.
- I will be completing my assignment tomorrow.
- He will be hosting a party tonight.
- We will be attending the seminar.
- She will be baking a cake.
Negative
- You will not be eating dinner with us.
- I will not be using the computer.
- They will not be going to the beach.
- She will not be studying at home.
- We will not be working on the project.
Interrogative
- Will they be joining the competition?
- Will you be visiting her tomorrow?
- Will Ahmed be coming to the class?
- Will she be reading the book tonight?
- Will they be having lunch at 1 p.m.?
Common Mistakes with Future Continuous Tense
Learners often make mistakes with the future continuous tense. Here are some common errors and how to correct them.
- ❌ He will attending the party.
- ✅ He will be attending the party.
Explanation: Always include be in the future continuous form.
- ❌ They will not working tomorrow.
- ✅ They will not be working tomorrow.
Explanation: Use will not be to form a negative sentence correctly.
FAQs
The future continuous tense is used to talk about actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future.
We form it by using will be followed by a verb ending in -ing.
It is used for actions in progress at a future time, polite questions, future arrangements, and assumptions.
No, use will not be for negative future continuous tense sentences.
Both “will” and “shall” can be used interchangeably. “Shall” is less common in modern English and is often used in formal or British English.
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Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources
- Worksheet Tenses
- English Worksheets
- Action Verbs Worksheets
- Future Continuous Tense Worksheets
- Time Expressions in English for All Tenses
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