Future Continuous Tense: Rules, Examples and How to Use
Learn the future continuous tense with clear rules, formation tables, signal words and practice exercises. Master will be + verb-ing at B1-B2 level.
Future Continuous Tense: Rules, Examples and How to Use
Learn how to talk about actions in progress at a future time. Clear rules, comparison tables and practice exercises for B1-B2 learners.
What is the Future Continuous?
We use the future continuous to describe an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
will be + verb-ing
Form: subject + will be + present participle
In this guide
How to Form the Future Continuous
The future continuous is one of the simplest tenses to form. You only need three parts: the subject, will be, and the verb with -ing.
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + will be + verb-ing | I will be studying at 8pm. |
| Negative | Subject + will not (won't) be + verb-ing | She won't be working tomorrow. |
| Question | Will + subject + be + verb-ing? | Will you be joining us? |
| Short answer (yes) | Yes, subject + will. | Yes, I will. |
| Short answer (no) | No, subject + won't. | No, I won't. |
Spelling note
When adding -ing, most verbs just add -ing (study > studying). For verbs ending in -e, drop the e (make > making). For one-syllable verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant, double the last letter (get > getting, swim > swimming).
When to Use the Future Continuous
1. An action in progress at a specific future time
This is the main use. You want to say that something will be happening at a particular moment in the future.
Examples:
- "This time next week, I will be flying to Japan."
- "At 9am tomorrow, she will be giving a presentation."
- "Don't call at 7pm. We will be having dinner."
2. Planned future actions (in the normal course of events)
Use the future continuous to talk about things that are already arranged or expected to happen as part of a routine or plan.
Examples:
- "The CEO will be visiting our office next month."
- "We will be launching the new product in January."
- "I will be staying at the Hilton during the conference."
3. Polite questions about plans
The future continuous sounds more polite than the present simple or will when asking about someone's plans. It gives the other person room to say no.
Examples:
- "Will you be using the car tonight?" (polite)
- "Will you be joining us for dinner?" (vs "Are you joining us?" which assumes yes)
- "Will you be needing anything else?" (common in shops and hotels)
4. Parallel actions in the future
When two or more actions will happen at the same time in the future, use the future continuous for both.
Examples:
- "While you will be sleeping, I will be working on the project."
- "The kids will be playing outside while we will be cooking dinner."
5. Guessing about the present or future
Use the future continuous to make logical assumptions about what is probably happening now or will happen.
Examples:
- "Don't call him now. He will be travelling." (I assume he is travelling right now)
- "She will be feeling tired after the long flight." (logical assumption)
Practise the Future Continuous with a Native Tutor
The best way to master the future continuous is to use it in real conversations. Book a session with a native English tutor on Preply or iTalki and practise speaking.
Future Continuous in Real Life
Here is how native speakers use the future continuous in everyday situations.
At work
"I will be attending the meeting at 3pm, so I can't take your call."
Travel plans
"This time tomorrow, we will be sitting on the beach in Bali."
Social arrangements
"We will be having dinner at 8. Feel free to join us."
Future routines
"When I retire, I will be spending more time with my family."
Signal Words and Time Expressions
Certain time expressions are commonly used with the future continuous. Learning these will help you recognise when to use this tense.
| Time Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| This time next week/month/year | Exactly one week/month/year from now | "This time next month, I will be living in London." |
| At [time] tomorrow | Specific time on the next day | "At 10am tomorrow, she will be taking an exam." |
| By the time | Before or at a certain point | "By the time you arrive, I will be cooking dinner." |
| While | During the same time | "While you are at work, I will be cleaning the house." |
| Between [time] and [time] | During a time period | "Between 2pm and 4pm, we will be testing the system." |
| For the next [time period] | Duration into the future | "For the next three hours, I will be driving home." |
| All day/night/evening | Throughout a period | "She will be studying all night for the exam." |
| In [number] hours/days/weeks | After a specific duration | "In two hours, we will be landing in Paris." |
Future Continuous vs Future Simple
Learners often confuse the future continuous with the future simple (will + base verb). The difference is all about duration and context.
| Situation | Future Simple (will) | Future Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| A decision made now | "I will call you later." | Not used for spontaneous decisions |
| A fixed future plan | "I will meet you at 5pm." (less common for plans) | "I will be meeting you at 5pm." (natural for planned) |
| Action at one point in time | "I will finish it at 6pm." (completion) | "I will be finishing it at 6pm." (in progress around 6pm) |
| Prediction | "I think it will rain tomorrow." | Not used for predictions |
| Polite question | "Will you help me?" | "Will you be helping me?" (more polite) |
Quick tip
If you want to highlight the duration of an action (it will take time), use the future continuous. If you want to highlight the result or completion of an action, use the future simple. For a more detailed comparison of future tenses, see our guide on Will vs Going To.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting the "be"
"I will working tomorrow."
"I will be working tomorrow."
The structure is will + be + verb-ing. You need both will and be.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong verb form after "will be"
"She will be studied at 8pm."
"She will be studying at 8pm."
After will be, always use the verb with -ing, not the past participle.
Mistake 3: Confusing future continuous with present continuous for future
"I am being working tomorrow."
"I will be working tomorrow." OR "I am working tomorrow."
The present continuous can also talk about future arrangements, but never add "be" after the present form of "be". Say "I am working" (present continuous for future) or "I will be working" (future continuous).
Mistake 4: Using stative verbs in the continuous form
"I will be knowing the answer."
"I will know the answer."
Stative verbs (know, believe, understand, want, need, like, prefer) are rarely used in continuous tenses. Use the future simple instead.
Mistake 5: Using future continuous for predictions
"It will be raining tomorrow." (to make a prediction)
"It will rain tomorrow." (prediction)
Use the future simple (will + verb) for predictions and general future facts. Use the future continuous only for actions in progress at a specific future time.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of the future continuous. Fill in the blanks with the correct form.
1. This time next week, I __________ (relax) on a beach in Thailand.
Answer: will be relaxing
2. At 8pm tonight, she __________ (give) a presentation to the board.
Answer: will be giving
3. They __________ (not / travel) next weekend because of the strike.
Answer: will not be travelling (won't be travelling)
4. __________ you __________ (use) the car this evening?
Answer: Will ... be using
5. While you are at the party, I __________ (study) for my exam.
Answer: will be studying
6. By the time you wake up, we __________ (drive) across the border.
Answer: will be driving
7. He __________ (wait) for you at the station when your train arrives.
Answer: will be waiting
8. We __________ (not / have) dinner until you get home, so please hurry.
Answer: will not be having (won't be having)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the future continuous tense?
The future continuous tense describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It is formed with "will be" + the verb in -ing form. For example: "At 8pm tonight, I will be watching a movie."
How do you form the future continuous tense?
The future continuous is formed with: subject + will be + verb-ing. For affirmative: "I will be working." For negative: "I will not (won't) be working." For questions: "Will I be working?"
What is the difference between future simple and future continuous?
The future simple (will + verb) highlights the result or completion of an action. The future continuous (will be + verb-ing) highlights the duration or process. For example: "I will finish the report at 5pm" (completion) vs "I will be finishing the report at 5pm" (in the middle of finishing around that time).
When do we use the future continuous for polite questions?
The future continuous is more polite than the present simple or "will" when asking about plans. "Will you be joining us for dinner?" is less pressure-inducing than "Are you joining us?" or "Will you join us?"
Can we use stative verbs in the future continuous?
No, stative verbs (know, believe, understand, want, need, like, prefer) are rarely used in continuous tenses. Use the future simple instead: "I will know the answer tomorrow" not "I will be knowing the answer tomorrow."
What time expressions are used with the future continuous?
Common time expressions include: "this time next week/month/year", "at [time] tomorrow", "by the time", "while", "between [time] and [time]", "for the next [period]", "all day", and "in [number] hours/days." These all signal an action in progress at a specific future moment.
Final Tips for Mastering the Future Continuous
- 1. Practise with time expressions. The easiest way to get comfortable with the future continuous is to use it with phrases like "this time next week" or "at 9am tomorrow." These naturally trigger the tense.
- 2. Think about the background. Use the future continuous to set the scene for future events. "I will be working in the garden when you arrive" (the gardening is the background).
- 3. Make it a habit in polite requests. Start using "Will you be...?" instead of "Will you...?" when you want to sound more polite. It will become natural over time.
- 4. Combine with other future tenses. Read our guide on Will vs Going To to understand how all the future tenses work together.
Ready to Practise the Future Continuous?
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