The future continuous tense, also known as the future progressive tense, is used to describe actions or events that will be happening at a specific time in the future. It is formed using the auxiliary verb will followed by the present participle of the main verb (which is typically formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb).
I will be eating breakfast at 7:00 AM. (The speaker will be in the process of eating breakfast at 7:00 AM in the future.)
She will be writing a letter at 3:00 PM. (The speaker will be in the process of writing a letter at 3:00 PM in the future.)
Here are some more examples of sentences in the future continuous tense:
They will be having a party when we arrive.
We will be watching a movie when the power goes out.
He will be studying for his exams when I call him.
I will be waiting for the bus when it starts raining.
Formation of Past Continuous
#1.ย The Future Continuous is formed by means of the Future Indefinite of the auxiliary verbย to beย and Participle I of the notional verb.
#2.ย In the interrogative form, the first auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. And in the negative form, the negative particleย notย is placed after the first auxiliary verb.
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| I shall be reading He will be reading She will be reading We shall be reading You will be reading They will be reading |
Shall I be reading? Will he be reading? Will she be reading? Shall we be reading? Will you be reading? Will they be reading |
I shall not be reading He will not be reading She will not be reading We shall not be reading You will not be reading They will not be reading |
#3.ย The contracted affirmative forms are:
Iโll be reading
Heโll be reading
The contracted negative forms are:
I shanโt be reading
He wonโt be reading
#4.ย The negative-interrogative forms are:
Shall I not be reading?
Shanโt I be reading?
Will he not be-reading?
Wonโt he be reading?
Use of Future Continuous
The future continuous tense is often used to describe ongoing actions or events that will be happening at a specific time in the future. It can also be used to describe temporary actions or events that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
#1.ย The Future Continuous is used to denote an action that will be going on at a definite moment in the future.
I wonder whether we shall ever arrive at a decision. I am sure the next time you call weย shallย stillย be wavering.ย (Collins)
ย The definite moment is indicated either by another future action expressed by a verb in the Present Indefinite or by an adverbial phrase.
Iย shallย alreadyย be workingย when you return.ย At 12 oโclockย Iย shallย stillย be working.
The definite moment is often not expressed but is understood from the situation.
I am sure you wonโt be able to speak to him, heย will be working.
#2.ย The Future Continuous can have a modal coloring: it can denote an action that is sure to take place, often independently of the will of the speaker and the doer of the action.
I feel Iย shall be askingย you the same question tomorrow.
But my dear Ann Veronica, youย will be gettingย into debt.ย (Wells)
