The Future Continuous Tense
Future Continuous
A tense used to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future.
The Future Continuous tense (sometimes called Future Progressive) is used to describe an ongoing action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It emphasizes the duration of the action, showing that it starts before that point and likely continues after it. It is also used to politely ask about someone's plans or to describe projected future arrangements.
To form the Future Continuous, use the auxiliary verb combination will be followed by the present participle (verb ending in -ing) of the main verb. For negations, insert "not" between will and be, creating will not be (or won't be). To make questions, place will before the subject, keeping "be + -ing" after the subject (e.g., Will you be working?).
A common error is using the Future Continuous instead of Future Perfect when referring to a completed deadline (e.g., saying At 5 PM I will be finishing my report when you mean the action is done, instead of I will have finished it). Another mistake is using it with stative verbs, which do not normally take continuous forms (e.g., saying I will be knowing the results instead of I will know the results).
Examples
This time tomorrow, I will be flying to New York.
This time tomorrow, I will be flying to New York.
What will you be doing at eight o'clock tonight?
What will you be doing at eight o'clock tonight?
He won't be working at the office next week.
He won't be working at the office next week.
Will you be using your computer this afternoon?
Will you be using your computer this afternoon?
We will be sleeping when your flight lands.
We will be sleeping when your flight lands.
Related terms
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