Future Continuous Tense Formula, Rules and Uses with Examples -

Future Continuous Tense Formula

The future continuous or progressive is used to describe actions that will be in progress for some time in the future. The action expressed by the future continuous tense can begin in the future, or it can already be in progress in the present and continue into the future.

Must Read: Future Perfect Continuous Tense

We can make the future continuous tense in two ways.

Using will

Using be going to

The will and be going to form of the future continuous tense often give the same meaning, but they can sometimes express different meanings.

Formula/Structure of Future Continuous Tense with will

Future continuous Tense Formula, Rules and Uses with Examples

Future Progressive Positive Sentences with Will

Structure: Subject + will + be + (Verb)₁+ing + Object

Future Continuous Tense Positive Sentences Examples

He will be learning the lesson.

She will be peeling the apples.
It will be raining hard in the evening.
This month, next year, I will be studying at a college in London.

We’ll be watching the movie at 9 in the night.

Negative Sentences with Will

To make the future continuous tense negative, add not after the will or before going in the sentence. The contracted form of will and not is won’t.

Structure: Subject + will + not + be + (Verb)₁+ing + Object

Future Continuous Tense Negative Sentences Examples

He will not be waiting for me.
The professor will not be attending the meeting this afternoon.

They will not be closing the hotel at 9 o’clock.
I’ll not be staying at home on Sundays.
We will not be playing games tomorrow between 10-12 a.m.

Interrogative Sentences Formula with Will

The questions in the future continuous can be created by inverting will or be with the subject of the sentence.

Will + Subject + be + (Verb)₁+ing + Object

Interrogative Sentences Examples

Will she be reading a book?
Will he be waiting for me?
Will he be visiting India next month?

Will the plane be taking off in thirty minutes?

Remember to make an interrogative sentence. Questions that ask who or what did an action don’t follow this question’s pattern.

These types of questions can be made using question words such as what, when, who, why, etc.

When will he be showing his new phone to us?
Who will you be inviting to the party tomorrow?
What will you be doing all morning?

Why will he be staying in the country all winter?

Formula of Future Progressive with be going to

Positive Sentences with be going to

Subject + is/am/are + going to + be + (Verb)₁ + ing + Object

Examples

I am going to apply for this post tomorrow.
They are going to be working at 5:00 tomorrow.

She is going to be meeting her brother soon.
He can’t come out this night. He is going to be watching the Gulf on TV.

Negative Sentences with be going to

Structure: Subject + is/am/are + not + going to + be + (Verb)₁ + ing + Object

Examples

Is he not going to be studying for an exam?
I am not going to take my brother to the airport tomorrow morning.

Interrogative Sentences with be going to

Structure: (Question word) + be + subject + going to be + (Verb)₁ + ing + Object

Examples

Is he going to be working at 2:00 tomorrow?

Where is her father going to be working next year?
Is your brother going to be studying here from now?

Note: The question word at the beginning of every interrogative sentence can be either is/am/are or question words like who, when, what, why, etc.

Uses of Future Continuous Tense with Examples

Future continuous tense is used for future plans.

Examples

Hassan will be meeting his brother in London this month.

He will be joining us after the meeting.
We will be studying all night for that paper.
They’ll be building a new house next month.

I will be studying for my examination tonight.

The present continuous and future simple tenses are also used for future plans. Either of these tenses means the same thing when expressing future plans.

Examples

He is going to meet his brother in London this month. (Future simple tense shows a future plan.)
He is meeting his brother in London this month. (Present continuous shows a future plan.)

To express a habit that is temporary in the future. The future continuous tense can be used to express that habit, but it is unnecessary.

Example

Hassan is going to London next week! While he is there, he will be surfing every day.

The future continuous is also used to predict actions that we think will happen at an uncertain point.

Examples

Please don’t call me after 9 p.m.; I’ll be having dinner.
Don’t call his brother after 9 p.m.; he’ll be having dinner.

By the time he arrives home, I’ll be studying.

Will and be going to Difference and Examples

When predicting the future, both “will” and “be going to” mean the same thing.

I am going to translate the whole book.

I will translate the whole book.
His son is going to succeed because he studies hard.
His son will succeed because he studies hard.

Be going to (not will) express something that has been planned or someone intends to do something (a prior plan) and will describe a sudden decision.

I have told my son I am going to admit you to another school.
I am going to tell him the whole story we have discussed so far.

I am going to call his brother later this evening. (something I have been planning to do)
I will call his brother later this evening. (I decide on the time when I speak.)

Be going to express something that someone thinks will happen shortly if it results from an action happening right now. On the other hand, “will” also tell something that is expected to occur in the future, but the event has no connection with what is happening right now and is not expected to happen soon.

We are going to win the match.
I think our team is going to lose the match.
He has a lot of money. He is going to buy a new car. (expected in the near future)

One day, I will probably have a car too. (something not expected in the near future and has no connection with the present time)

Future Continuous Tense Examples (Positive, Negative and Interrogative)

You can send the letter to me. I will be waiting in the post office anyway.
It will be raining heavily at night.

Why is she late? She will be taking her children to school.
She will not be looking out of the door when I approach.
His kids are going to stay with me for the holidays this year.

We will be hurrying to occupy our seats in our classroom when they open the gate.
I think he will be travelling to Australia tomorrow night.
Will the dog be making that awful noise the whole night again?

They will be playing a funny part in this play, won’t they?
Shall I inform all of the students? No, I’ll do it. I’ll be seeing them in the morning anyway.
I’ll be presenting a new plan to my new classmates.

We will not be discussing our adventures this night anymore.
From whose home will he be talking with me on the phone?
What time at night will she be coming to my home?

Will you be going out later?
She is going to leave the office around six this evening.
They are going to visit an exciting place soon.

Related:

Future Continuous Tense Formula, Rules and Uses with Examples