How to form the Future Continuous: table
will + be + verb-ing, the same for all persons.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | I’ll be working at 10 am. |
| Negative | I won’t be working at 10 am. |
| Question | Will you be working at 10 am? |
| Short answer | Yes, I will. / No, I won’t. |
When to use the Future Continuous
In progress at a future moment
This time next week we’ll be flying to Spain.
Don’t call at 8 — I’ll be putting the kids to bed.
A longer action interrupted in the future
When you arrive, I’ll be waiting at the station.
Polite questions about plans
Softer than Will you…? — it sounds like a question about plans, not a request.
Will you be using your laptop this evening?
can I borrow it?
Things that will happen as a matter of course
I’ll be seeing Anna at work anyway, so I’ll give it to her.
Future Continuous signal words
- this time tomorrow
- this time next week
- at 8 tonight
- all day tomorrow
- all evening
- when you arrive
- soon
The Future Continuous is the same “in progress at a moment” as the Past Continuous, only in the future: At 8 yesterday I was cooking → At 8 tomorrow I’ll be cooking.
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
This time tomorrow I will lie on the beach.Right: This time tomorrow I will be lying on the beach.
In progress at a future moment: will be + -ing.
Wrong:
I will working tomorrow.Right: I will be working tomorrow.
Don’t forget be.
Wrong:
When you will arrive, I’ll be waiting.Right: When you arrive, I’ll be waiting.
After when use the Present Simple.
Wrong:
I will be knowing the results tomorrow.Right: I will know the results tomorrow.
Know is a state verb.
Check yourself
Quiz: Future tenses
24 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
I’ll work · I’m going to work · I’ll be working · I’ll have worked