Future Continuous Tense
The Future Continuous Tense also known as the Future Progressive is used to describe actions that will be actively in progress at a specific point or period in the future.
1. Grammatical Formulas (Positive Statements Only)
A. Verbal Sentence Formula
Used to describe active ongoing processes in the future.
- Formula:
Subject + will + be + Verb-ing + Object / Complement - I will be sleeping at midnight.
B. Nominal Sentence Formula
Used to describe a temporary future state of behavior or state of being.
- Formula:
Subject + will + be + being + Complement (Adjective/Noun/Adverb) - He will be being difficult during the negotiation. - He will act in a difficult manner temporarily.
2. Detailed Usage Scenarios
1. Action in Progress at a Specific Time in the Future
Used to state what action will be underway at a particular moment in the future. The action will begin before that point and likely continue after it.
- At 3:00 PM tomorrow, I will be sitting in a meetings. - The meeting starts before 3:00 PM and finishes after.
- This time next week, we will be relaxing on the beaches of Bali.
- Don’t call them at 8:00 PM; they will be eating dinner.
2. Planned Future Events as Part of a Routine or Schedule
Used to describe actions that will happen in the normal course of events or as part of a pre-planned schedule, without emphasizing a personal decision.
- I will be driving past the post office tomorrow, so I can mail your letter. - It is part of my normal route.
- The manager will be visiting our branch next Tuesday. - Standard scheduled routine.
3. Polite Inquiries About Someone’s Plans
Used to politely ask about someone’s future actions, often to see if their plans align with a favor you want to ask.
- Will you be using the scanner this afternoon?
Polite way of asking: “Can I use the scanner?”. - Will you be staying in the office late tonight?
4. Parallel Future Actions occurring Simultaneously
Used when two future actions are expected to occur at the exact same time.
- While you are studying at library, I will be cooking dinner at home.
Note: the time clause uses the Present Continuous, while the main clause uses the Future Continuous. - Tonight, my father will be watching the news while my mother will be reading her book.
3. Common Time Markers
| Time Marker | Meaning / Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| At this time tomorrow | At this exact time tomorrow | I will be flying at this time tomorrow. |
| This time next week | At this exact time next week | We will be sunbathing this time next week. |
| At [specific time] tomorrow | At a certain clock time tomorrow | at 8:00 PM tomorrow, at 10:00 AM tomorrow |
| During the summer | Over the summer season or a specific period | during the summer, during the vacation |
| While / When | Used to connect parallel or interrupted events | while you are studying, when you arrive |
4. More Complete Sentence Examples
- At 10:00 AM tomorrow, the students will be taking their final exam. - Action in progress.
- I will be working on the project all day next Monday. - Duration.
- They will be traveling through Europe during the entire month of July. - Ongoing future action.
- My sister will be arriving at the airport in a few hours. - Planned routine event.
- He will be sleeping when you arrive. - Action in progress interrupted by second event.
Next, we will explore the Future Perfect Tense to learn how to express actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future.