Future Continuous Tense: Rules and Usage with Examples

Learn future continuous tenses in English with their rules and example sentences. This lesson is going to be very helpful for you because it contains the future continuous tense in English with helpful structure, usage, and example sentences. Learn and enhance your knowledge about tenses.

In this section, we are going to be looking at how the future continuous tense works and what rules we must follow when using it.

Table of Contents

What is the Future Continuous Tense?

The action is not complete when another action happens in the future. This is similar to past continuous, but it refers to the future.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE EXAMPLES:

I, You, We, They, He, She, It: will be traveling when you arrive.

Learn more about: English Tenses with Grammar Charts

Structure of Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense is a verb tense that indicates that something will occur in the future and continue for an expected length of time.

It is formed using the construction will + be + V-ing (the present participle).

Positive Sentence:

S + will + be + V-ing (present participle)

Examples:

I will be singing at the concert tomorrow.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be enjoying a relaxing vacation on the beach.
By next year, she will be pursuing her dream career as a professional photographer.
At 8 o’clock tonight, we will be having dinner with our friends at our favorite restaurant.
In a month’s time, he will be running his first marathon to raise funds for charity.
By the end of the week, they will be completing their final exams and looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Negative Sentence:

S + will + not + be + V-ing (present participle)

Examples:

I will not be singing at the concert tomorrow.
Next weekend, I will not be attending the concert due to prior commitments.
By this time next year, she will not be working at the company anymore; she plans to start her own business.
At 10 PM tonight, we will not be watching TV because we’ll be busy packing for our trip.
In six months, they will not be living in this city anymore as they are relocating for better job opportunities.
By the end of the month, he will not be playing football anymore due to his injury rehabilitation.

Read more: Negative Sentences in English

Question Form:

Will + S + be + V-ing? (the present participle)

Examples:

Will you be singing at the concert tomorrow?
Will you be studying for your exam at this time tomorrow?
What will you be doing next Saturday evening?
Will they be working on the project during the weekend?
What time will she be arriving at the airport tomorrow?
Will the team be practicing for the competition at this time next week?

Read more: Interrogative Sentences in English

How to Use the Future Continuous Tense

Learn how and when to use the future continuous tense (or the future progressive) in English with grammar rules, and examples.

The future progressive tense is used:

1. To describe interrupted actions in the future

Examples:

When you come tomorrow, they will be playing tennis.
Tomorrow at noon, I will be cooking lunch when my friend arrives for a surprise visit.
By this time next week, she will be giving a presentation when the fire alarm goes off.
At 8 PM tonight, they will be watching a movie when the power outage interrupts their plans.
In a month’s time, we will be having a picnic in the park when unexpected rain showers disrupt our outing.
By the end of the year, he will be proposing to his girlfriend when his phone rings with an urgent call.

2. To express actions in progress at a specific time in the future

Examples:

At 12 o’clock tomorrow, we will be having lunch at school.
At 9 PM tomorrow, I will be studying for my exam.
By this time next year, she will be traveling to Europe.
At 10 AM next Monday, they will be attending the conference.
In three months, we will be renovating our kitchen.
At 7 PM on Friday, he will be meeting with his clients.

3. To refer to actions that are happening now and expected to continue some time in the future

Note: combined with “still”

Examples:

Unfortunately, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.
I will be cooking dinner for the next hour; it’s a long recipe.
He will be working on his thesis all night; the deadline is approaching fast.
They will be discussing the project until late; it’s a crucial meeting.
She will be practicing the piano for the next few hours; she has a concert next week.
We will be traveling around Europe for the next month; it’s a dream vacation.

4. To ask a polite question about the future

Examples:

Will you be bringing your friend to the party tonight?
Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow afternoon?
Will he be joining us for dinner tonight?
Will they be arriving on time for the event next week?
Will she be available for a phone call this afternoon?
Will we be receiving the shipment by the end of the day?

5. To emphasize future plans and intentions

Examples:

He‘ll be coming to visit us next week.
Tomorrow afternoon, I will be dedicating my time to finishing the report.
By this time next year, we will be exploring new business opportunities.
Next weekend, they will be volunteering at the local shelter to help the community.
In six months, she will be pursuing a master’s degree to further her career.
By the end of the year, we will be saving up for a trip around the world.

6. To describe the atmosphere in the future

Examples:

When I arrive at the party, everybody will be celebrating, some will be dancing, and others will be talking.
Tomorrow night, the city will be buzzing with excitement as it hosts the annual fireworks display.
By this time next year, the streets will be filled with the festive spirit as people celebrate the holiday season.
In a month’s time, the air will be filled with anticipation as students prepare for their final exams.
At sunset tomorrow, the beach will be bathed in golden light, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere.
In six months, the park will be alive with the sound of laughter and music as families enjoy picnics and outdoor activities.

7. To express parallel actions or series of parallel actions in the future

Examples:

She will be watching TV, and he will be cooking dinner.
Tomorrow morning, while I will be working on the presentation, my colleague will be preparing the handouts.
By this time next week, as she will be studying for her exam, her brother will be practicing the guitar for his upcoming performance.
In a month’s time, while they will be painting the living room, we will be renovating the kitchen.
At 8 PM tonight, as they will be cooking dinner, we will be setting the table and arranging the drinks.
By the end of the year, while she will be traveling around Europe, her friends will be backpacking through Asia.

Time Expressions with The Future Progressive

In the future,
Next week
Next time
Next year
At this moment, next year
At this time tomorrow
At 5 p.m tomorrow…

Adverb Placement in Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense is a verb form used to express actions that will be ongoing at a specific future time. It consists of the modal verb “will” or “shall,” followed by the base form of the main verb and the present participle (the “-ing” form).

Adverbs, which modify verbs, can be placed in various positions within a sentence to convey different meanings or emphasize certain aspects of the action.

Let’s discuss the adverb placement in future continuous tense in English with examples and an explanation:

1. Adverb before the auxiliary verb “will”:

Example: Tomorrow, I will eagerly be attending the conference.
Explanation: Placing the adverb “eagerly” before the auxiliary verb “will” emphasizes the speaker’s enthusiasm for attending the conference in the future.

2. Adverb between the auxiliary verb “will” and the main verb:

Example: Sarah will be diligently studying for her exams all night.
Explanation: Here, the adverb “diligently” is positioned between the auxiliary verb “will” and the main verb “studying,” indicating the manner in which Sarah will be studying.

3. Adverb after the main verb in continuous form:

Example: By next month, they will have been tirelessly working on the project for six months.
Explanation: Placing the adverb “tirelessly” after the main verb “working” emphasizes the continuous and dedicated nature of their efforts on the project.

4. Adverb at the end of the sentence:

Example: In a year’s time, we’ll still be happily living in this neighborhood.
Explanation: The placement of the adverb “happily” at the end of the sentence highlights the ongoing contentment of living in the neighborhood.

5. Adverb at the beginning of the sentence:

Example: Gradually, the team will be slowly adapting to the new management style.
Explanation: By positioning the adverb “gradually” at the beginning of the sentence, emphasis is placed on the gradual nature of the team’s adaptation to the new management style.