Future Continuous Tense: Definition, Formula, Structure and Uses with Examples
The future continuous tense is a very important aspect of English grammar that every learner should strive to understand fully. It enables us to talk about a particular action in a process that will exist at some other point in the future. Learning more about the future continuous tense helps in conveying a continuous event in the future with better clarity and accuracy. In this guide, you will learn about things like what is the future continuous tense, how it looks grammatically, the rules governing its use, and how it is employed in real life with examples and practice.
What is the Future Continuous Tense?
The future continuous tense refers to actions that will be in progress at a given time in the future. It is a means of discussing ongoing events in the future, which gives a perspective of continuity and activity. It is very useful for establishing a future time frame, planning, and narrating future actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
Definition of Future Continuous Tense-
The future continuous tense is also known as the future progressive tense, which is constructed by using the auxiliary verb ‘will be’ followed by the present participle [the -ing form of the verb]. The future continuous tense definition refers to actions that will be ongoing at some time in the future. For example, “At 8 PM I will be studying” shows that studying will progress at 8 PM.
Structure and Formula of Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense structure is quite simple which is as follows – The future continuous tense formula is formed by the presence of the subject, the auxiliary verbs “will be,” and the present participle of the main verb.
Basic Structure
| Structure | Example |
| Subject + will be + present participle | She will be having snacks at 5 PM. |
| Subject + will be + present participle | He will be playing chess later. |
| Subject + will be + present participle | We will be baking for you. |
| Subject + will be + present participle | They will be staying tomorrow. |
| Subject + will be + present participle | I will be working on my cooking skills. |
In these future continuous tense sentences, "will be" is the auxiliary verb combination indicating future continuous tense, and "having," "playing," "baking," "staying," and "cooking" are present participles of the main verbs.
Rules of Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense rules are specific notations to keep in mind that will ensure its correct usage.
1. Use "will be" for all subjects: Regardless of the subject, the auxiliary verb combination "will be" remains the same.
- Example: "I will be going," "You will be going," "He will be going," "We will be going," "They will be going.”
2. Use the present participle of the main verb: The main verb is used in its present participle form (ending in -ing).
- Example: "She will be reading," "They will be driving," "I will be studying."
3. Contractions are common in spoken English: "Will be" is often contracted to "’ll be" in informal speech.
- Example: "I’ll be working," "You’ll be playing," "He’ll be studying.”
4. Negative form: Add "not" between "will" and "be" to make the sentence negative.
- Example: "She will not (won’t) be attending," "They will not (won’t) be coming."
5. Question form: Invert "will" and the subject to form questions.
- Example: "Will she be attending?" "Will they be coming?”
Uses of Future Continuous Tense
These uses of future continuous tense are very flexible and can be used in a wide range of activities to express several different things.
Future Continuous Tense for Statements-
Statements in the future continuous tense express actions that will be happening at a specific future time or event.
Example: "At 7 PM, I will be coming to your place ."
Example: "They will be travelling to Bangkok this time next week.”
How to use Future Continuous Tense for Negatives?
Example: "She will not (won’t) be attending the class tomorrow."
Example: "They will not (won’t) be travelling to their hometown next month.”
How to use Future Continuous Tense for Questions?
To form questions in the future continuous tense, invert the subject and "will."
Example: "Will you be attending the alumni meet?"
Example: "Will they be coming next week?”
How to use the Future Continuous Tense with Adverbs?
Adverbs can be used with the future continuous tense to add more information about the time, manner, place, or frequency of the action.
Example: "She will probably be arriving late."
Example: "They will be travelling tomorrow."
Example: "I will always be thinking of you.”
How to use the Future Continuous Tense in Passive Voice?
In passive voice, much attention is paid to the action and the one who receives it compared to the one who is acting. The structure changes slightly: >will be being+ past participle of the main verb.
Example: "The work will be being completed by the team."
Example: "The report will be being reviewed by the manager.”
Examples of Future Continuous Tense
The following are future continuous tense examples for a better understanding of how to apply the tense.
| Example | Explanation |
| She will be going to the park at 6 PM. | Indicates a future action (going) in progress. |
| They will be moving to the US next week. | Indicates a future action (moving) in progress. |
| I will be preparing for my presentation all day tomorrow. | Indicates a future action (preparing) in progress. |
| He will be cooking dinner when you arrive. | Indicates a future action (cooking dinner) in progress. |
| We will be coming with you to the University. | Indicates a future action (coming) in progress. |
| The children will be playing in the garden this afternoon. | Indicates a future action (playing) in progress. |
| She will not be coming to the farewell event tonight. | Negative sentence (not coming). |
| Will you be joining us for brunch? | Question (asking about joining for brunch). |
| They will probably be going by train. | Future action with adverbs (going by train). |
| The task will be being reviewed by the team. | Passive voice (project being reviewed). |
Exercises for Future Continuous Tense
To practice the future continuous tense, fill in the blanks of the following questions. Solutions are given at the end of the future continuous tense exercises.
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Beginner
- At 8 PM, she __________ (practice).
- They __________ (move) to Malaysia next week.
- I __________ (complete) my homework tomorrow.
- We __________ (come) with you to the park.
- He __________ (watch) a movie tonight.
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Intermediate
- By this time tomorrow, she __________ (read) her favourite book.
- They __________ (complete) their journey by then.
- I __________ (not/attend) the meeting.
- Will you __________ (come) to the party?
- The team __________ (discuss) the new strategy.
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Advanced
- At this time next year, they __________ (move) into their new bungalow.
- We __________ (not/travel) to our village for the holidays.
- She __________ (probably/work) late tonight.
- Where you __________ (go) on your vacation?
- She __________ (always/complaining) of this issue.
Answers to Exercises
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Beginners
- Will be practicing
- Will be moving
- Will be completing
- Will be coming
- Will be watching
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Intermediate
- Will be reading
- Will be completing
- Will not be attending
- be coming
- Will be discussing
Future Continuous Tense Exercises for Advanced
- Will be moving
- Will not be travelling
- Will probably be working
- Will be going
- Will always be complaining
FAQs
Ans: The future continuous tense is employed to indicate actions that will be ongoing at the time of a specified future time. It assists in expressing that the event or action in question will take place in the future and is not going to end anytime soon.
Ans: Whereas the simple future tense is employed to predict an action or event without giving much importance to the duration of the action at that particular future period, the future continuous tense stresses the fact that the action is likely to continue at that particular period.
Ans: Yes, the future continuous tense may also be used when speaking about a future intention or plan, including when the particular action is expected to be ongoing at a future time.
Ans: Yes, the future continuous tense is very commonly used in the English people speak today, especially when they talk about being busy with their schedules or when they expect some events to be going on for some time in the future.
Ans: The future continuous tense is used with time expressions such as “at this time tomorrow,” “next week,” “in the evening,” etc., to indicate when the action is likely to be ongoing.
Ans: The future continuous tense in English can be used with other tenses in compound structures to indicate the interaction between different verbs and the moments of their action. They often function with the present continuous tense, the past continuous tense, or the simple future tense to describe a series of events.
Ans: Adverbs offer more information about the action being described, including its occurrence, how it was done, where it happened, and how often it occurred. They contribute to making its meaning more precise or conditioned by adding the nature of the interaction between agents and objects in the context of future continuous action.
Ans: However, any verb can form a future continuous tense, but action verbs commonly used are those that suggest continuing action, such as work, travel, study, and wait. These verbs emphasise the persistence of the action.
Ans: The most frequent mistakes are using an incorrect auxiliary verb, omitting the present participle form of the main verb, and confusing the simple future tense. These errors can be avoided if the proper structure and context are maintained.
