Future Continuous Tense: Rules, Examples & Usage | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn all about the Future Continuous Tense in English grammar. We'll cover the formation, usage, and provide plenty of examples. You'll discover how to describe ongoing actions that will be happening at specific times in the future.
What is Future Continuous Tense?
Future Continuous Tense Definition: Future continuous tense describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It uses will + be + verb-ing to show ongoing future activities that will be happening at a particular moment or during a period in the future.
Why is Future Continuous Important? It's essential for describing future scenes, making polite inquiries, showing interrupted future actions, and creating detailed future narratives.
Future Continuous Tense Structure
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + will + be + verb-ing | I will be reading / They will be playing |
| Negative | Subject + will + not + be + verb-ing | I won't be reading / They won't be playing |
| Question | Will + Subject + be + verb-ing? | Will I be reading? / Will they be playing? |
Use "will be" with all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) followed by the -ing form.
When to Use Future Continuous Tense
1. Actions in Progress at a Specific Future Time
- I will be sleeping at 11 PM tonight.
- She will be working at 3 PM tomorrow.
- They will be traveling to Paris this time next week.
- We will be having dinner at 7 PM.
2. Interrupted Future Actions
- I will be studying when you arrive.
- She will be cooking dinner when the guests come.
- They will be playing football when it starts raining.
- We will be watching TV when the power goes out.
3. Parallel Future Actions
- While I will be working, you will be studying.
- She will be cooking while he will be cleaning.
- They will be playing music while we will be dancing.
- The children will be sleeping while the adults will be talking.
4. Polite Inquiries About Future Plans
- Will you be using the car tomorrow? (polite question)
- Will she be joining us for dinner? (indirect inquiry)
- Will they be attending the meeting? (courteous question)
- Will you be working late tonight? (polite inquiry)
Adding -ing to Verbs
| Rule | Base Verb | -ing Form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -ing | work, read, play | working, reading, playing |
| Ends in -e: drop e, add -ing | make, write, drive | making, writing, driving |
| One syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant: double final consonant | run, swim, get | running, swimming, getting |
| Ends in -ie: change ie to y, add -ing | lie, die, tie | lying, dying, tying |
📌 Future Continuous Challenge!
Complete the sentences with the correct form:
- I _____ (work) at 9 AM tomorrow.
- They _____ (not/sleep) when you arrive.
- What _____ you _____ (do) this time next week?
- She _____ (study) while he _____ (cook) dinner.
Show Answers
- I will be working at 9 AM tomorrow.
- They won't be sleeping when you arrive.
- What will you be doing this time next week?
- She will be studying while he will be cooking dinner.
Common Time Expressions
Specific Times
- at 3 PM tomorrow
- this time next week
- all morning/afternoon/evening
Connectors
- when, while
- during, throughout
- at that time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing "be": ❌ "I will working" ✅ "I will be working"
- Wrong auxiliary: ❌ "I am will be working" ✅ "I will be working"
- Using with stative verbs: ❌ "I will be knowing" ✅ "I will know"
- Wrong question formation: ❌ "What you will be doing?" ✅ "What will you be doing?"
- Missing -ing: ❌ "She will be work" ✅ "She will be working"
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct form
- At 8 PM tonight, I (will work/will be working) on my project.
- She (will be sleeping/will sleep) when you (will call/call) her.
- (Will you be using/Will you use) the computer tomorrow at 2 PM?
- They (will be traveling/will travel) to Japan while we (will be staying/will stay) at home.
- This time next month, we (will be living/will live) in our new house.
Show Answers
- will be working
- will be sleeping, call
- Will you be using
- will be traveling, will be staying
- will be living
Frequently Asked Questions
What is future continuous tense?
Future continuous tense describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It uses will + be + verb-ing to show ongoing future activities.
How do you form future continuous tense?
Use will + be + verb-ing for all subjects. Examples: I will be working, She will be studying, They will be playing.
What are some examples of future continuous tense?
Examples include: I will be sleeping at 10 PM tonight, They will be traveling to Europe next month, She will be working when you call.
When do we use future continuous tense?
Use future continuous for: actions in progress at a specific future time, interrupted future actions, parallel future actions, and polite inquiries about future plans.
What's the difference between future continuous and simple future?
Future continuous shows ongoing future actions (I will be working at 3 PM), while simple future shows completed future actions (I will work tomorrow).
How do you make negative sentences in future continuous?
Add "not" after will: I will not (won't) be working, They will not (won't) be studying.
How do you ask questions in future continuous?
Put will before the subject: Will I be working? Will they be studying? What will you be doing?
What time expressions are used with future continuous?
Common expressions: at 3 PM tomorrow, this time next week, all morning/afternoon/evening, while, when, during.
Conclusion
Future Continuous Tense is essential for describing ongoing future actions and creating detailed future scenarios. Master the will + be + verb-ing pattern to express future activities happening at specific times!