What is the Future Continuous?
The future continuous describes an action that will be happening at a particular moment in the future.
At 8 o'clock tomorrow, I will be sleeping. (8 o'clock tomorrow → I will already be in the middle of sleeping)
How to Form the Future Continuous
will be + verb + -ing
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / you / he / she / it / we / they | will be + -ing | She will be studying at 6pm. |
Negative: will not be + -ing → won't be + -ing
I won't be working on Saturday.
Question: Will + subject + be + -ing?
Will you be using the car tonight?
When to Use the Future Continuous
1. Action in progress at a future point in time
This time next week, we will be lying on the beach. Don't call at noon — I will be having lunch.
2. Planned or expected future events (often without a specific end)
She will be studying medicine for the next five years.
3. Polite enquiries about someone's plans
Will you be coming to the party? (softer than "Are you coming?") Will she be joining us for dinner?
Signal Words
- this time tomorrow / next week / next year
- at … o'clock tomorrow / on Saturday
- while (alongside another future action)
Compare:
- I will watch the film tonight. (simple decision, single event)
- I will be watching the film at 8pm tonight. (will be in the middle of it at that point)
Real world: scheduling / diary
"Don't book a meeting for 2 pm — I will be presenting to the board then." "This time tomorrow, I will be flying over the Atlantic on my way to New York."
Real world: polite enquiry (email)
"Dear Ms. Adams, will you be attending the conference on Friday? We will be hosting a dinner afterwards and would love for you to join us."
Practice Problems
Form the future continuous: She / study / at midnight tonight.
Show answer
Make it negative: 'They will be travelling tomorrow.'
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Choose the correct tense: 'When you arrive, I __ (cook) dinner.' (future continuous)