Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense describes actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future. It tells us that something will be in progress, not yet finished, at that future moment.

What You'll Learn

In this lesson, you will learn:

How to form the future continuous tense using will be + verb-ing
When to use the future continuous tense to talk about actions in progress at a future time
How to tell the difference between the simple future tense and the future continuous tense
How to use the future continuous tense in positive, negative, and question forms

When to Use

An action in progress at a specific future time: "At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be studying for my science test."
Something happening over a period of time in the future: "Next week, the workers will be building the new playground."
A planned or expected activity at a future moment: "When you arrive at the hawker centre, Grandma will be waiting for you."
Parallel actions happening at the same time in the future: "While Dad will be cooking dinner, Mum will be helping us with our homework."
Polite enquiries about someone's plans: "Will you be using the computer this evening?"

How to Form

Basic Structure

Form	Structure	Example
Positive	subject + will be + verb-ing	She will be reading a book.
Negative	subject + will not be + verb-ing	She will not be reading a book.
Question	Will + subject + be + verb-ing?	Will she be reading a book?
Short form	subject + 'll be + verb-ing	She'll be reading a book.
Negative short form	subject + won't be + verb-ing	She won't be reading a book.

Adding -ing to the Verb

Verb Type	Rule	Base Verb	-ing Form
Most verbs	Add -ing	play	playing
Ends in silent -e	Drop -e, add -ing	write	writing
One syllable, CVC	Double last letter, add -ing	run	running
Ends in -ie	Change -ie to -y, add -ing	lie	lying
Ends in -ee	Just add -ing	see	seeing

Future Continuous vs Simple Future

Simple Future	Future Continuous	Difference
I will eat dinner at 7 p.m.	At 7 p.m., I will be eating dinner.	Simple future = the action starts at 7 p.m. Future continuous = the action is already in progress at 7 p.m.
She will read a novel tomorrow.	She will be reading a novel all afternoon.	Simple future = a completed action. Future continuous = an ongoing activity over a period.

Key Rules

Always use "will be" + verb-ing: The future continuous tense always has three parts: will + be + the -ing form of the main verb. You cannot leave out "be". "She will be sleeping." (Not "She will sleeping.")
"Will" stays the same for all subjects: Unlike the present tense, "will" does not change. "I will be going", "He will be going", "They will be going" all use the same "will be".
Use it for actions in progress, not completed actions: The future continuous shows something ongoing at a future point. Use the simple future tense for actions that will be completed. "At 3 p.m., I will be sitting for my exam." (in progress) vs "I will finish my exam by 4 p.m." (completed)
Time expressions are important: The future continuous tense usually comes with a specific time or time period to tell us when the action will be happening. Look for words like "at 6 p.m.", "this time tomorrow", "next Monday morning".
Negative form uses "will not be" or "won't be": To say something will not be happening, place "not" between "will" and "be". "They will not be playing outside because of the rain."
Question form moves "will" to the front: To ask a question, move "will" before the subject. "Will you be attending the school assembly tomorrow?"

Common Mistakes

Wrong	Right	Why
She will sleeping at 10 p.m.	She will be sleeping at 10 p.m.	"Be" must come between "will" and the -ing verb
He will be play football tomorrow.	He will be playing football tomorrow.	The main verb must be in the -ing form
They will be runing in the race.	They will be running in the race.	"Run" ends in CVC, so double the "n" before adding -ing
Will be she joining us later?	Will she be joining us later?	In questions, "will" comes before the subject, then "be"
I will being wait for you.	I will be waiting for you.	Only the main verb takes -ing, not "be"
I will be writeing a letter tonight.	I will be writing a letter tonight.	Drop the silent -e before adding -ing — "write" becomes "writing"

Clue Words

Time expressions that signal the future continuous

at this time tomorrow, at 8 p.m., this time next week, all day tomorrow, all morning, the whole afternoon, when you arrive, by the time, while, still

Question starters

Will you be...?, Will she be...?, Will they be...?

Common time markers

tomorrow morning, next Monday, tonight, this evening, next week, in an hour

Tip: If you see a specific future time (like "at 3 p.m. tomorrow") and the action will be ongoing at that time, the future continuous tense is likely the right choice. Think: "Will the action be in the middle of happening at that moment?"

Practice Tips

The snapshot test: Imagine taking a photograph at the future time mentioned. If the action would be captured mid-way (still happening), use the future continuous. "At 9 p.m., she will be sleeping." You would catch her in the middle of sleeping.
The "will be + -ing" checklist: Every time you write a future continuous sentence, check that you have all three parts: (1) will, (2) be, (3) verb-ing. If any part is missing, the sentence is incomplete.
Compare with simple future: If the sentence talks about starting or completing an action, use simple future. If it talks about being in the middle of an action, use future continuous. "I will start homework at 4 p.m." vs "At 4.30 p.m., I will be doing homework."
Look for time clues: Circle or underline time expressions in the sentence. If there is a specific moment in the future and the question asks what will be happening at that time, the future continuous is your answer.

Quick Reference

Aspect	Details	Example
Positive	will be + verb-ing	I will be studying tonight.
Negative	will not be + verb-ing	I will not be watching TV.
Question	Will + subject + be + verb-ing?	Will you be coming to the party?
Short answer (yes)	Yes, subject + will.	Yes, I will.
Short answer (no)	No, subject + won't.	No, I won't.
Use for	Actions in progress at a future time	At 7 a.m., she will be jogging in the park.
Do NOT use for	Completed future actions	She will finish (not "will be finishing") by noon.

Key Time Expressions

Time Expression	Example Sentence
at this time tomorrow	At this time tomorrow, we will be flying to Penang.
all day	The students will be rehearsing all day for National Day.
when + clause	When you reach school, the teacher will be marking papers.
while + clause	While I will be cooking, my sister will be setting the table.
tonight / this evening	This evening, the family will be having dinner at the hawker centre.

Future Continuous Tense (P5) (Primary 5)