Future Continuous

Express actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future

What is Future Continuous?

The future continuous lets you look ahead and describe what will be happening at a specific moment in the future. It's like placing yourself at a future time and describing what will be in progress then. "This time tomorrow, I'll be sitting on a beach!" – you can almost picture it.

This tense is also surprisingly useful for polite questions. Instead of "Will you use the car?" (which sounds demanding), "Will you be using the car?" sounds softer and more polite – you're just asking about their plans, not asking permission.

When to Use

1. Actions in Progress at a Specific Future Time

This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Tokyo.
At 8 PM tonight, we will be having dinner.
Next Monday at noon, she will be presenting to the board.
In an hour, they will be playing football.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be working from home.
This time next week, we will be relaxing on vacation.

2. Future Actions That Will Happen Anyway (Not Arranged)

Don't call at 7. I will be eating dinner then.
She will be traveling a lot next month. (part of her job)
We will be staying late tonight. (it's expected)
The sun will be setting around 6 PM.

3. Polite Questions About Future Plans

Will you be using the car tomorrow? (polite inquiry)
Will you be joining us for dinner?
Will she be coming to the meeting?
Will they be staying long?

4. Parallel Future Actions

While you're working, I will be relaxing at home.
She will be studying while he will be watching TV.
The kids will be sleeping while we're at the party.

Formation

Positive: Subject + will + be + verb-ing

I will be working late tonight.
You will be hearing from us soon.
He will be traveling next week.
She will be studying all day.
We will be waiting for you.
They will be moving to London soon.

Negative: Subject + will + not + be + verb-ing

I won't be attending the meeting.
She won't be working tomorrow.
We won't be staying long.
They won't be coming to the party.

Question: Will + subject + be + verb-ing?

Will you be working late?
Will she be joining us?
What will you be doing this weekend?
Where will they be staying?

Common Mistakes

❌ I will be work tomorrow. → ✅ I will be working tomorrow.
❌ She will being studying. → ✅ She will be studying.
❌ They will be to go home. → ✅ They will be going home.
❌ Will you be use this? → ✅ Will you be using this?
❌ I will be know the answer. → ✅ I will know the answer. (stative verbs)

Practice Tips

⏰ Time markers: "This time tomorrow," "at 8 PM tonight," "next Monday at noon" signal future continuous – they pinpoint a future moment.
🗣️ Soften questions: Change "Will you come?" to "Will you be coming?" for a gentler, more polite tone.
⚡ Difference from will: "I will work tomorrow" = simple fact. "I will be working tomorrow" = emphasizes the action in progress.
✍️ Future timeline: Write 5 sentences about specific future times: "At 9 AM tomorrow, I will be...", "Next Friday at 7 PM, I will be..."