Grammar › Verb Tenses › Future Continuous
Future Continuous
The future continuous (will be + verb-ing) is for an action in progress at a future moment. Use it for:
- An action in progress at a future time — This time tomorrow, I'll be flying to Rome.
- Polite questions about someone's plans — Will you be using the car tonight?
Form it with will be + -ing, the same for every subject. For a completed future action, use the future simple (I'll finish by six).
How to form the future continuous
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | subject + will be + verb-ing | She will be working. |
| Negative | subject + won’t be + verb-ing | They won’t be coming. |
| Question | Will + subject + be + verb-ing? | Will you be joining us? |
Will be is the same for every subject, and the main verb takes -ing. The verb be is never left out.
When to use the future continuous
1. An action in progress at a future time
- At 8pm tonight, I’ll be watching the match.
- This time next week, we’ll be relaxing on the beach.
2. Polite questions about plans
- Will you be needing anything else?
- Will you be using the printer this afternoon?
⚠️ Typical error:
By six I’ll be finishing.(a completed action) → For something completed, use will or the future perfect: I’ll finish by six.
Common mistakes
1. Using it for a completed future action. The continuous is for an action in progress, not a finished one. By ten I’ll be finishing the report → By ten I’ll have finished the report.
2. Leaving out ‘be’. I will working at nine → I’ll be working at nine.
3. Using it with stative verbs. I’ll be knowing the answer soon → I’ll know the answer soon. Pro tip: know, want and like avoid the continuous.
✏️ Practice: Future Continuous
1. This time tomorrow, I ___ to Rome.
2. At 8pm, we ___ dinner.
3. ___ you ___ the car tonight?
4. She ___ working late tomorrow.
5. Don't call at nine — I ___ then.
6. By then, I ___ the answer.
7. They ___ coming to the meeting.
8. I ___ Sara tomorrow anyway, so I'll pass on the message.
9. Rewrite with the same meaning: 'At midnight, I'll be asleep.'
10. What ___ you ___ this time next week?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'will do' and 'will be doing'?
'Will do' is a single future action (I'll call you tonight). 'Will be doing' is an action in progress at a future moment (At nine I'll be watching TV).
Why is the future continuous polite?
'Will you be using the car?' sounds less direct than 'Are you going to use the car?', so it feels more polite when asking about someone's plans.
How do I form it?
will be + the -ing form, the same for every subject: I'll be working, she'll be working, they'll be working.
Can I use it with state verbs?
No. Know, want and like use the simple: I'll know soon, not I'll be knowing.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Future Continuous”:
- Can form the future continuous with will be + -ing (CEFR B1).
- Can use it for an action in progress at a future time and for polite enquiries.
- Can distinguish it from the future simple.
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