The future continues

1. Concept of the Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

Example:

➢ We will be climbing on the mountain at this time next Saturday.

Example of the Future Continuous Tense

2. Structure of the Future Continuous Tense

Where:

• S (subject): Subject
• Will: Auxiliary verb
• Be: The verb "to be" in its base form
• V-ing: Verb with the "ing" ending

2.1. Affirmative Sentences

S + will + be + V-ing

✎ Note: "be" always follows "will".

Examples:

• I will be working from tomorrow.
• I will be eating bread from noon tomorrow.

2.2. Negative Sentences

S + will + not + be + V-ing

✎ Note: For negative sentences, simply add "not" after the auxiliary verb "will". "Will not" can be contracted to "won't".

Examples:

• I won't be working tomorrow.
• She won't be playing games tomorrow.

2.3. Interrogative Sentences

Will + S + be + V-ing ?

Responses:

• Yes, S + will
• No, S + won't

✎ Note:

• In interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb "will" is placed at the beginning.
• Questions using "what, how, when, why,..." follow the structure: Wh-word + will + S + be + V-ing ? (Example: What will you be doing when I arrive tomorrow?)

Examples:

• Will you be studying next Tuesday?
• Will he be playing games this weekend?

3. Uses of the Future Continuous Tense

➣ To describe an action or event that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.

Example: Tonight at 7 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.

Tonight at 7 PM, I am going to be eating dinner

➣ To describe an action or event in progress when another action or event interrupts in the future.

Example: He will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

He will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

➣ To describe an action that will occur and continue for a period of time in the future.

Example: My parents are going to London, so I will be staying with my grandma for the next 2 weeks.

My parents are going to London, so I will be staying with my grandma for the next 2 weeks.

➣ To describe an action that will occur as part of a plan or schedule.

Example: Next Monday, you will be working in your new job.

Next Monday, you will be working in your new job.

➣ To politely request or ask about information in the future.

Example: Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?

Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?

➣ Combined with “still” to indicate actions that are happening now and are expected to continue in the future.

Example: Tomorrow he will still be suffering from his cold.

Tomorrow he will still be suffering from his cold.

➣ To describe parallel actions to depict an atmosphere or scene at a specific time in the future.

Example: When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others are going to be talking.

When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others are going to be talking.

✎ Note: You can use “be going to” instead of “will” without changing the meaning of the sentence.

4. Signs to Recognize the Future Continuous Tense

Contains adverbs of time in the future with a specific time reference:

• At this time/at this moment + future time: At this moment …
• At + specific time + future time: At …
• At this time tomorrow

Example: We will be going out at this time. / We will be going out at this time.

At this time tomorrow I will be going shopping in Singapore.

At 10 a.m tomorrow my mother will be cooking lunch.

5. Notes When Using the Future Continuous Tense

➣ Clauses beginning with when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless… do not use the future continuous tense but the present continuous tense.

Example: While I will be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. (incorrect)

=> While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner.

➣ The following verbs are not used in the continuous form in general and the future continuous tense in particular:

• state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
• possession: belong, have
• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
• feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
• brain work: believe, know, think (think about), understand

Example: Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. (incorrect)

=> Jane will be at my house when you arrive.

➣ Passive form of the future continuous tense

At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes. (active)

=> At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John. (passive)