Future Continuous is one of the twelve core English tenses. It describes an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future, and is also used to ask about plans politely.
When to use future continuous
An action in progress at a specific future time
Something that will already be happening at a stated future moment.
Parallel future actions
Two things happening at the same future time.
Polite questions about someone's plans
Asking about a future arrangement, without sounding like a direct request.
Predicting the current situation continuing
Assuming a routine or ongoing situation will still be true at a future point.
Structure & formula
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + will + be + verb-ing | I will be working at 10 a.m. tomorrow. |
| Negative | Subject + will not (won't) + be + verb-ing | I won't be working this weekend. |
| Yes/No question | Will + subject + be + verb-ing? | Will you be joining us? |
| WH question | WH word + will + subject + be + verb-ing? | What time will you be arriving? |
Signal words & time expressions
These words often (though not always) signal that future continuous is the right choice:
at this time tomorrow, this time next week, by then, at [specific future time]
Common mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I will working at 9 tomorrow. | I will be working at 9 tomorrow. | The auxiliary "be" can't be dropped between "will" and the "-ing" verb. |
| Will you be using the car later? — Yes, I will using it. | Yes, I will be using it. | The full continuous structure ("will be + verb-ing") is needed in the answer too. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with the correct form.
- At 8 p.m. tonight, I _____ (watch) the match.
- This time next week, we _____ (travel) to Spain.
- _____ you _____ (use) the printer soon?
- Don't visit at noon — she _____ (have) lunch then.
- They _____ (not / work) on Sunday.
Quick summary
FAQs
Why does future continuous sound more polite than "will" for requests?
"Will you be using the car?" assumes the action might already be planned, making it feel less like a direct request and more like a considerate question about an existing situation.
How is this different from future simple?
Future simple ("I will call you at 8") describes the action as a single event. Future continuous ("I will be working at 8") frames it as ongoing at that moment — useful for describing what's already in progress, not what will start.