The Best Guide to the Future Continuous Tense

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The future continuous tense is a verb tense that talks about something that will happen in the future for a period of time.[1]https://7esl.com/future-continuous-tense/

future continuous tense

Future Continuous Tense Usage

Interrupted Future Actions

You can use the future continuous verb tense to describe future actions that will be interrupted.

For example:

  • When they get her next week, we will be cleaning the house.
  • By the time Susie arrives this afternoon, we will be preparing lunch.
  • When we arrive in the USA, we will be taking a road trip.

Actions in Progress at a Specific Time in the Future

You can use the future continuous tense to describe actions that you are in the process of doing at specific times in the future.

For example:

  • At 6 pm tonight, we will be having Christmas dinner.
  • In January, he will be starting a new workout regime.
  • Tomorrow, they will be visiting us.

Current Actions that will Continue in the Future

You can use the future continuous to talk about things that you are in the process of doing right now and plan to continue doing in the future.

For example:

  • Don’t worry, we will still be playing video
    games by the time you get back.
  • They will
    be studying     all day.
  • We will
    be learning     about that subject all year in class.

To Politely Ask About the Future

You can use the future continuous tense to ask polite questions about the future.

For example:

  • Will you
    be helping us with the cleaning?
  • Will they
    be coming to the party with us?
  • Will
    she be cleaning the dishes?

Emphasize Future Intentions and Plans

You can use the future continuous verb tense to talk about future intentions and plans.

For example:

  • I will be
    going     to Europe this summer.
  • They will
    be visiting     us next month.
  • Frank will
    be helping     us tomorrow with the move.

Describe the Atmosphere in the Future

You can use the future continuous to describe the situation and atmosphere of a situation in the future.

For example:

  • When we get to the library, everybody will be studying for finals.
  • When Susie gets here, we will all be hiding in
    anticipation to surprise her for her birthday.
  • When they get here, we will be celebrating graduation from university.

Parallel Actions in the Future

You can use the future continuous verb tense to describe parallel actions or a series of parallel actions happening in the future.

For example:

  • I will be
    studying    , and she will be playing video
    games.
  • They will
    be trying     to sleep, and the baby will
    be crying     tonight.
  • I will be
    cleaning     the living room, and she will
    be cleaning     the kitchen.

Example Exercises

Use the words to write a sentence in the future continuous tense.

 13%

Question 1 of 8

1. Susie / not study / this weekend

Question 1 of 8

Question 2 of 8

2. They / go to the movie theater / on Thursday evening

Question 2 of 8

Question 3 of 8

3. I / travel / this summer

Question 3 of 8

Question 4 of 8

4. I / quite my job / on Friday

Question 4 of 8

Question 5 of 8

5. We / work / on Christmas?

Question 5 of 8

Question 6 of 8

6. Frank / cook dinner / at 6pm

Question 6 of 8

Question 7 of 8

7. They / call us / tonight

Question 7 of 8

Question 8 of 8

8. We / eat dinner / soon?

Question 8 of 8


 

How did you do?

If some of these questions were tricky don’t worry — this is one of the topics that confuses English learners the most.

Sometimes reading alone isn’t enough. A private one on one lesson can clear up any confusion quickly and help you use this grammar naturally and confidently.

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References[+]