The future continuous tense describes an action that will be in progress at a certain time in the future. It is formed with “will be” + present participle (verb + -ing). This tense is useful when talking about two future actions happening at the same time or showing a future activity in progress.
Future Continuous Tense Structures
The future continuous tense has four main structures based on sentence type: affirmative, negative, interrogative, and double interrogative (WH-questions). Each form uses the basic rule: Subject + will be + verb-ing
1. Affirmative Sentence Structure
Formula:
Subject + will be + verb-ing + object
Examples:
- I will be studying tomorrow evening.
- They will be playing football at 5 p.m.
2. Negative Sentence Structure
Formula:
Subject + will not be + verb-ing + object
Examples:
- She will not be attending the meeting.
- We will not be working on the project tonight.
3. Interrogative Sentence Structure
Formula:
Will + subject + be + verb-ing + object?
Examples:
- Will you be joining us for dinner?
- Will Ahmed be traveling next week?
4. Double Interrogative (WH + Yes/No)
Formula:
WH-word + will + subject + be + verb-ing + object?
Examples:
- What will they be doing at 8 p.m.?
- Why will he be working late?
Subject-Verb Agreement in Future Continuous
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 for Future Continuous Tense
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 in Future Continuous Sentences
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 in Future Continuous
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 with Future Continuous Tense
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
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.
Summary: Key Rules of the Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense describes actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future. It follows the structure:
Subject + will be + verb-ing.
Key Rules:
- Use “will be” + present participle (verb + -ing).
- It shows ongoing future actions.
- Often used with specific time references (e.g., at 6 p.m., tomorrow at noon).
- Can describe overlapping actions (e.g., She will be studying while I’m cooking).
- Adverbs like still, already, soon are often placed before the verb (will still be working).
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.
Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources
- Worksheet Tenses
- English Worksheets
- Action Verbs Worksheets
- Future Continuous Tense Worksheets
- Time Expressions in English for All Tenses
You May Also Like
- Simple Present Tense
- Simple Past Tense
- Simple Future Tense
- Present Continuous Tense
- Past Continuous Tense
Future Continuous Tense Quiz
Future Continuous Tense
Complete the sentence.
This time tomorrow, I ___ on a plane to Toronto.
The future continuous shows an action in progress at a specific future moment.
will be + -ing at a future moment
This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Toronto.
Choose the form.
Don't call at nine — we ___ dinner then.
At that future point the meal will already be under way, so the future continuous fits.
will be + -ing (in progress at a future time)
Don't call at nine — we will be having dinner then.
Complete the sentence.
At 3 p.m. she ___ her driving exam.
A stated future clock time plus an ongoing action calls for the future continuous.
will be + -ing
At 3 p.m. she will be taking her driving exam.
Type the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Next week they ___ (travel) across Europe.
An action stretching over a future period takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing
Next week they will be travelling across Europe.
Ask politely about plans.
___ the car this evening? I need to borrow it.
The future continuous asks about someone's plans neutrally, without pressing them.
Will + be + -ing for a polite future enquiry
Will you be using the car this evening?
True or false?
'Will you be doing...?' often sounds more natural than 'Will you do...?' when you ask about someone's plans without pressure.
The future continuous softens an enquiry about plans, which is a recognised use.
future continuous for neutral enquiries about plans
Will you be joining us later?
Action in progress later.
This time tomorrow, I ___ over the Atlantic.
An action in progress at a set future moment takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing for an action in progress at a future time
This time tomorrow, I will be flying over the Atlantic.
Type the correct form of the verb in brackets.
At noon we ___ (drive) to Chicago.
A clock time in the future frames an action already underway, so the future continuous fits.
will be + -ing at a future point
At noon we will be driving to Chicago.
Polite enquiry.
___ the car this evening?
The future continuous softens a question about someone's plans.
will be + -ing for a polite question about plans
Will you be using the car this evening?
Parallel future action.
While you cook, I ___ the table.
An action running alongside another future action takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing for parallel future actions
While you cook, I will be setting the table.
True or false?
'This time next week she will be starting her new job' describes an action in progress next week.
The future continuous 'will be starting' places the action within that future window.
will be + -ing for a future window
This time next week she will be starting her new job.
Expected course of events.
Don't call at nine; we ___ dinner then.
An action expected to be in progress at a future moment takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing for an action in progress at a stated future time
Don't call at nine; we will be having dinner then.
Action in progress later.
At nine tomorrow, I ___ my driving test.
An action in progress at a set future time takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing at a future point
At nine tomorrow, I will be taking my driving test.
Type the correct form of the verb in brackets.
This time next week, they ___ (relax) on a beach.
A future window frames an action already underway, so the future continuous fits.
will be + -ing for a future window
This time next week, they will be relaxing on a beach.
Polite enquiry.
___ the printer soon?
The future continuous softens a question about someone's plans.
will be + -ing for a polite question about plans
Will you be using the printer soon?
Expected course of events.
By then, she ___ home from work.
An action expected to be in progress at a future point takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing for an action in progress at a future time
By then, she will be driving home from work.
Parallel future action.
While you rest, I ___ the fence.
An action running alongside another future action takes the future continuous.
will be + -ing for parallel future actions
While you rest, I will be painting the fence.
True or false?
The future continuous marks an action in progress at a future time.
The future continuous frames an action as ongoing at a stated future moment.
will be + -ing for a future action in progress
At noon we will be travelling.
Action in progress later.
This time on Friday, we ___ to Toronto.
A future window frames the flight already underway.
will be + -ing for a future window
This time on Friday, we will be flying to Toronto.
Type the correct form of the verb in brackets.
At noon, he ___ (teach) his class.
A clock time in the future frames an action already underway.
will be + -ing at a future point
At noon, he will be teaching his class.
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