Future Continuous

Form

The future continuous is made up of two elements:
the simple future of the verb ‘to be’ + the present participle (base+ing)

Functions

The Future Continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. The future continuous is used for quite a few different purposes.

*The future continuous can be used to project ourselves into the future.

Examples

• This time next month, I will be sun-bathing in Maldives.
• By Christmas, I will be skating like a pro.
• Just think, next Monday you will be working in your new job.

*The future continuous can be used for predicting or guessing about future events.

Examples

• She’ll be attending to the party, I expect.
• I guess you’ll be feeling tired after working out at the gym.
• You’ll be missing the sunshine once you’re back in England.

*In the interrogative form, the future continuous can be used to ask politely for information about the future.

Examples

• Will you be bringing your cousin to the concert tonight?
• Will Matthew be coming with us?
• Will Anne be going to the party tonight?
• Will they be staying in this hotel?

*The future continuous can be used to refer to continuous events that we expect to happen in the future.

Examples

• I‘ll be seeing Tim at the meeting next week.
• When he is in Canada, he will be staying with his aunt.
• I’ll be eating with Kim this evening.

*When combined with still, the future continuous refers to events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue some time into the future.

Examples

• In an hour, I’ll still be washing my car.
• Tomorrow, she’ll still be suffering from flu.
• Next year, will she still be wearing a size six?
• Won’t stock prices still be falling in the morning?
• According to research, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.