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. The Future Continuous is formed by means of the Future Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the notional verb.
#2. In the interrogative form, the first auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. And in the negative form, the negative particle not 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. The contracted affirmative forms are:
I’ll be reading
He’ll be reading
The contracted negative forms are:
I shan’t be reading
He won’t be reading
#4. The negative-interrogative forms are:
Shall I not be reading?
Shan’t I be reading?
Will he not be-reading?
Won’t 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. 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 we shall still be wavering. (Collins)
The definite moment is indicated either by another future action expressed by a verb in the Present Indefinite or by an adverbial phrase.
I shall already be working when you return. At 12 o’clock I shall still be working.
The definite moment is often not expressed but is understood from the situation.
I am sure you won’t be able to speak to him, he will be working.
#2. 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 I shall be asking you the same question tomorrow.
But my dear Ann Veronica, you will be getting into debt. (Wells)