The future continuous is an English verb tense. This lesson shows you how to use the tense correctly and when you use it. You can find the exercises at the bottom of the page.
Let’s start with the structure.
Future Continuous Structure
Like all the continuous tenses in English, you need an ING verb. You also need the future component, which means using “will”. Here’s the structure:
Subject + Will (not) + BE + VERB + ING
Examples:
- I will be sleeping later tonight.
- When you arrive, I will be cooking.
- She will be working when you call.
- They will be eating at that time.
Future Continuous Uses
Interrupted Actions in the Future
Much like the past continuous and present continuous, the future continuous uses interrupted actions. Take a look at
these examples:
- I will be studying when you finish your class.
- When you call me, I will be watching television.
Notice how the continuous action is interrupted. The other action is in the simple present. A common mistake is to use the simple future, but this is wrong:
- I will be studying when you will finish your class. (Wrong)
Continuous Actions at Specific Future Times
Any action that is continuing in the future can use the future continuous. Here are some examples:
- I will be working at 7 pm tonight.
- Tomorrow, she will be studying all day.
Sometimes, there are two actions happening at the same time, like in these examples:
- I will be cooking and he will be cleaning.
- They will be singing while we will be dancing.
Remember, you can’t use a non-continuous verb with the future continuous. Something like this example is wrong:
- I will be forgetting my party.
Forget is not an action that continues. It happens once and then is finished. So, make sure you don’t use non-continuous verbs.