Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous tense, also called the Future Progressive,
is used to describe actions that will be in progress at a particular time in the future.In this lesson, you will learn the Future Continuous tense rules,
sentence structures, uses, examples, common time expressions, common mistakes,
and the difference between the Future Simple and Future Continuous.
You can also practice with exercises and a short grammar quiz.

What Is the Future Continuous Tense?

The Future Continuous describes an action that will be happening
at a specific moment in the future.

Structure:

Subject + will be + verb-ing

I will be studying at 8 p.m.
She will be working tomorrow morning.
They will be travelling next week.
We will be waiting for you.

Future Continuous Sentence Structure

Positive Sentences

Subject + will be + verb-ing

I will be studying tonight.
You will be working tomorrow.
He will be driving at 6 p.m.
She will be sleeping when we arrive.
We will be having dinner at 8 p.m.
They will be travelling next month.

In informal English, will is often shortened to ‘ll.

I’ll be working.
She’ll be studying.
They’ll be waiting.

Negative Sentences

Subject + will not be + verb-ing

The contracted form of will not is won’t.

I won’t be working tomorrow.
She won’t be studying tonight.
They won’t be staying at the hotel.
We won’t be travelling next week.

Questions

Will + subject + be + verb-ing?

Will you be working tomorrow?
Will she be studying tonight?
Will they be travelling next weekend?
Will he be using the computer later?

Short Answers

Will you be working? — Yes, I will.
Will she be studying? — No, she won’t.
Will they be travelling? — Yes, they will.

When Do We Use the Future Continuous?

1. Actions in Progress at a Specific Future Time

We use the Future Continuous when an action will already be happening
at a particular moment in the future.

At 9 p.m. tonight, I will be watching a movie.
This time tomorrow, we will be flying to London.
At 10 a.m. next Monday, she will be taking her exam.
At midnight, they will still be driving home.

2. Expected Future Events

The Future Continuous can describe activities that we expect to happen
as part of a normal plan or situation.

I’ll be seeing Sarah at work tomorrow.
He’ll be staying with his parents this weekend.
We’ll be using the new system next month.
They’ll be attending the conference on Friday.

3. Two Future Actions Happening at the Same Time

While you are studying, I will be preparing dinner.
She will be working while we are travelling.
At 8 p.m., we will be eating while they are watching the match.

4. Polite Questions About Future Plans

We can use the Future Continuous to ask politely about someone’s future plans.

Will you be using the car tonight?
Will you be staying for dinner?
Will you be coming to the meeting tomorrow?
Will you be travelling this weekend?

Common Future Continuous Time Expressions

this time tomorrow
this time next week
at 8 p.m. tomorrow
tomorrow morning
tomorrow afternoon
tomorrow evening
next week
next month
next year
all day tomorrow
when
while

Examples:

This time tomorrow, I will be sitting on the beach.
At 7 p.m., we will be having dinner.
She will be working all day tomorrow.
When you arrive, I will be waiting outside.

Future Simple vs Future Continuous

Future Simple

The Future Simple uses will + base verb
and is commonly used for predictions, instant decisions, promises, and offers.

I will call you tomorrow.
I think she will win.
Don’t worry. I’ll help you.

Future Continuous

The Future Continuous uses
will be + verb-ing and focuses on an action
that will be in progress at a future time.

I will be studying at 8 p.m.
She will be working when you arrive.
This time tomorrow, we will be travelling.

Compare:

I will study tonight.
This simply tells us about a future action.

I will be studying at 9 p.m. tonight.
This tells us that studying will be in progress at 9 p.m.

You can also review our

Future Simple Tense guide
.

Future Continuous vs Present Continuous

The Present Continuous can also talk about the future,
especially when we describe fixed arrangements.

Present Continuous:
I’m meeting Sarah at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Future Continuous:
I’ll be meeting Sarah at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

The Present Continuous usually emphasizes an arrangement,
while the Future Continuous focuses more on the activity
that will be happening at that time.

Learn more in our

Present Continuous Tense guide
.

Future Continuous vs Past Continuous

Both tenses describe actions in progress, but they refer to different times.

Past Continuous:
I was studying at 8 p.m. yesterday.

Future Continuous:
I will be studying at 8 p.m. tomorrow.

The Past Continuous describes an action that was in progress in the past,
while the Future Continuous describes an action that will be in progress in the future.

Stative Verbs and the Future Continuous

Stative verbs normally describe states, thoughts, possession, or feelings
rather than actions. They are generally not used in continuous forms.

Common stative verbs include:

know
believe
understand
want
need
love
hate
own
belong

❌ Tomorrow, I will be knowing the answer.
✅ Tomorrow, I will know the answer.

❌ She will be wanting a new phone.
✅ She will want a new phone.

Common Future Continuous Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting “Be”

❌ I will studying tonight.
✅ I will be studying tonight.

Mistake 2: Forgetting -ing

❌ She will be work tomorrow.
✅ She will be working tomorrow.

Mistake 3: Using “To” After Will

❌ They will to be travelling tomorrow.
✅ They will be travelling tomorrow.

Mistake 4: Using the Past Form

❌ He will be worked at 6 p.m.
✅ He will be working at 6 p.m.

Mistake 5: Incorrect Question Structure

❌ Do you will be working tomorrow?
✅ Will you be working tomorrow?

Future Continuous Examples

I will be working at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
She will be sleeping when you get home.
They will be travelling through Europe next month.
Will you be using your laptop tonight?
We won’t be staying at the hotel.
This time next week, I’ll be relaxing on holiday.
He will be taking his driving test tomorrow morning.
At 7 p.m., they will be having dinner.
Will your parents be visiting you this weekend?
I’ll be waiting for you outside the station.

Future Continuous Worksheet

Complete the sentences using the correct
Future Continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

At 8 p.m. tonight, I ________ for my exam. (study)
This time tomorrow, they ________ to Paris. (fly)
She ________ tomorrow afternoon. (not / work)
________ you ________ the car tonight? (use)
At midnight, we ________. (sleep)
He ________ for the company next month. (work)
They ________ at home this weekend. (not / stay)
________ Sarah ________ with us tomorrow? (travel)
When you arrive, I ________ for you. (wait)
At 6 p.m., my parents ________ dinner. (prepare)

Show Worksheet Answers

will be studying
will be flying
will not be working / won’t be working
Will / be using
will be sleeping
will be working
will not be staying / won’t be staying
Will / be travelling
will be waiting
will be preparing

Future Continuous Mini Quiz

1. This time tomorrow, I _____ on the beach.

A) will relax
B) will be relaxing
C) will be relax

2. At 9 p.m., she _____ for her exam.

A) will be studying
B) will studying
C) will be study

3. _____ you be working tomorrow morning?

A) Do
B) Are
C) Will

4. They _____ staying with us this weekend.

A) won’t be
B) won’t
C) don’t be

5. Which sentence is correct?

A) He will be drive at 6 p.m.
B) He will driving at 6 p.m.
C) He will be driving at 6 p.m.

6. This time next week, we will be flying to Spain. This describes:

A) a completed past action
B) an action in progress at a future time
C) a present habit

7. When you call me tonight, I _____ dinner.

A) will be having
B) will having
C) have

8. Which verb is normally not used in continuous forms?

A) run
B) study
C) know

9. Will they _____ the football match tonight?

A) be watching
B) watching
C) be watch

10. “Will you be using the car tonight?” is commonly used to:

A) politely ask about someone’s future plans
B) describe a past habit
C) describe a finished action

Show Quiz Answers

B) will be relaxing
A) will be studying
C) Will
A) won’t be
C) He will be driving at 6 p.m.
B) an action in progress at a future time
A) will be having
C) know
A) be watching
A) politely ask about someone’s future plans

Future Continuous Summary

The Future Continuous tense is formed with
will be + verb-ing.
It is mainly used for actions that will be in progress
at a specific time in the future.

Positive: She will be working.
Negative: She won’t be working.
Question: Will she be working?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Future Continuous tense?

The Future Continuous is used to describe actions that will be
in progress at a particular time in the future.

What is the Future Continuous formula?

The formula is subject + will be + verb-ing.
For example: She will be studying.

What is an example of the Future Continuous?

I will be studying at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
This means the activity of studying will be in progress at 8 p.m.

What is the negative Future Continuous form?

Use will not be + verb-ing or
won’t be + verb-ing.
Example: They won’t be working tomorrow.

What is the difference between Future Simple and Future Continuous?

The Future Simple usually describes a future event, prediction,
decision, promise, or offer. The Future Continuous focuses on
an action that will be happening at a particular future moment.

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