B2 · Lesson 21 · 25 min
Future continuous
In this lesson
- I can describe an activity in progress at a particular future time.
- I can form future continuous questions, negatives and neutral enquiries about plans.
Grammar in context
The training session starts at nine and finishes at eleven tomorrow. At ten, the participants will be practising interview skills. The trainer will not be checking email then. Will you be using the meeting room in the afternoon?
Which activity includes the future moment at ten? Which question asks neutrally about an expected plan?
An activity around a future moment
Use will be plus an -ing form to view an activity as in progress at a future time. The activity normally begins before that reference point and continues around it. A timetable or a surrounding sentence can make this relationship clear. The future continuous does not by itself say when the activity finishes or guarantee that a plan will happen. Contrast it with a simple future sentence that focuses on a decision, prediction or single event.
- At this time tomorrow, we will be travelling through the mountains.
- The talk runs from six to seven, so at half past six I will be listening to the speaker.
Build statements, negatives and questions
The form is the same for all subjects: I will be working, she will be working, they will be working. Put not after will for a negative, or use won’t. For a question, put will before the subject and keep be before the -ing form. A question word can precede will. Do not add do or does, and do not add an -s ending to be or the -ing verb after a singular subject.
- She will not be staying at the hotel.
- Where will the engineers be working on Friday?
Ask about expected arrangements
The future continuous can make a neutral enquiry about someone’s expected activity: Will you be using the car later? In context, this can sound less like a request for a decision than Will you use the car? Other future forms may also be grammatical with a different focus. Choose this form when the planned activity and its timing matter. A reply may explain a schedule rather than make a promise or describe a permanent routine.
- Will you be passing the station on your way home?
- We will be meeting clients all morning, so please leave a message.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
At eight, she will working.
Use
At eight, she will be working.
The future continuous needs will + be + an -ing form.
Avoid
Will they be wait outside?
Use
Will they be waiting outside?
After will be, use the -ing form for the continuous.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.