Introduction
The future continuous (future progressive) describes an action that will be in progress at a specific moment in the future. It is formed with will be + the -ing form of the verb.
Subject+will be+verb-ing
- This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Rome.
- At 8pm, she will be working.
- When you arrive, we will be waiting for you.
Uses of the Future Continuous
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Action in progress at a future time | At noon, we will be eating lunch. |
| Polite enquiry (without imposing) | Will you be using the car tonight? |
| Expected or planned course of events | She will be joining us later, as planned. |
| Parallel future actions | While I am cooking, he will be setting the table. |
Future Continuous vs Future Simple
The future simple (will + base) describes a single future event or decision. The future continuous emphasises that an action will be ongoing at a future point.
| Future Simple | Future Continuous |
|---|---|
| I will call you. (single event) | I will be calling clients all morning. (ongoing) |
| She will arrive at 6. (single event) | She will be travelling all day. (in progress) |
Practice
This time tomorrow, I ___ to Rome.
___ you be using the car tonight?
Which sentence emphasises an ongoing action rather than a single event?
While I am cooking, he ___ the table.
At 8pm tomorrow, she ___ working.
When you arrive, we ___ waiting for you.
At noon tomorrow, we ___ eating lunch.
She ___ joining us later, as planned.
Which sentence is a polite enquiry using future continuous?
At 3pm tomorrow - right when you land - the team ___ the final report. (in progress at that moment)
When you get home tonight, I ___ dinner, so come straight to the kitchen.
'Will you be using the car tonight?' sounds more polite than 'Will you use the car?' because it ___.
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