Future Continuous

We use the future continuous to say that we will be in the middle of doing something at certain time in the future. We often use it when we compare what we are doing now with that we will be doing in the future. There is nearly always a time expression.

The movie starts 8.00 and ends at 10.00. At 9.00 I will be watching the movie

The future continuous is formed with will + be + the -ing form of the verb. Questions are formed by inverting the subject and will. Negatives are formed with will not (won't) + be + the -ing form of the verb. Contracted forms are used in speech and informal writing.

(+) Sarah will be flying home at 5 o'clock tomorrow

(-) Sarah will not be flying home at 5 o'clock tomorrow./She won't be flying home at 5 o'clock tomorrow

(?) Will Sarah be flying home at 5 o'clock tomorrow?/Where will she be flying at 5 o'clock tomorrow?

Some time markers can show that we will be in the middle of doing something at a certain time in the future. These time markers are at 5 o'clock, at that time tomorrow, this evening, in five years' time etc.

Where will you be living in 3 years' time?

We also use the future continuous to say that something will definitely happen in the future.

I'll be going to the shop later. Can I get you anything?

Compare will be doing with the other continuous forms.

Jane has an ordinary 9/5 job

At 11 o'clock yesterday she was working (past continuous)

At 11 o'clock today she is working (present continuous)

At 11 o'clock tomorrow she will be working (future continuous)

Guided Practice#

• It'll be busy morning for me. I (to cook), I (to clean), I (to wash) the dishes, and I (to get) my siblings ready for school.

• Why (you/to work) on your project that late? - Well, I (not to work) on it alone at least.

• In one year's time I will be travelling across Europe.

• You can't take my laptop. I (to use) it during my presentation today.

• Yesterday I (to wait) for my paycheck, and tomorrow I (to go) on a cruise.

Short Story using Future Continuous#

–Dan, will you be using your bike this afternoon?

–Yes, you can't take it.

–Will you be going outside then?

–Yes, I'll be going out with my friends tonight. Do you need something?

–Will you be passing the post office?

–Most probably.

–Can you get my package?

–OK. I hope this package is not heavy!

Independent Practice#

Choose the correct phrase.

1. We won't move/be moving to our new department at this time on Thursday.

2. This time next week. Susan will play/will be playing football with her friends.

3. Where will Sam/Sam will be working in on year's time?

Write the correct sentence..

1. You'll recognise her. She (to wear) a red dress.

2. Everyone (to sleep) at that hour!

3. Fred (to work) as a lead developer in 4 years' time.

4. At 8 o'clock tomorrow morning I (to take) my son to daycare.

Answer the questions.

1. What will you be doing at 7 p.m. tomorrow?

2. What will you be doing in 5 years' time?

3. What will people be celebrating on the 1st of January?