Lesson 54 · Stage 4: Tenses & modal verbs
Future continuous
IntermediateForm & use
will be + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the future
1.Form
The future continuous = will be + verb-ing, the same for every subject. Short forms: I'll be, she'll be; negative won't be.
| Pattern | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | S + will be + V-ing | I'll be working. |
| Negative | S + won't be + V-ing | She won't be coming. |
| Question | Will + S + be + V-ing? | Will you be using the car? |
| Short answer | Yes, S will. / No, S won't. | Yes, I will. / No, I won't. |
In a question, only will goes before the subject; be stays after it: Will you be working? (not: Will be you working?).
2.When to use it
1. An action in progress at a moment in the future — this time tomorrow, at eight tonight, when you arrive…
This time tomorrow, I'll be sitting on a plane to Seoul.
Don't come at nine — the baby will be sleeping.
When you land, I'll be waiting at the arrivals gate.
2. An action that continues through a period of time in the future
I'll be working all weekend, so I can't go out.
Lan will be travelling around Europe for the whole of July.
3. Something that will happen anyway, as part of the normal schedule — a neutral tone, with no focus on intention; common in announcements
We'll be landing in Da Nang in about twenty minutes.
I'll be seeing Huy at work tomorrow, so I can give him the book.
4. Asking politely about someone's plans — often before asking for a favour
Will you be using your laptop this afternoon? Mine's broken.
Will you be staying for dinner?
Will you be + -ing? only asks about plans, so it sounds gentle, with no pressure. Will you + verb? is usually a request or an invitation. Compare: Will you come to the party? (inviting you) — Will you be coming to the party? (asking whether you plan to).
5. Guessing what someone is doing right now
Don't call Mai now — she'll be driving home.
3.Will be -ing or will + verb?
Will be -ing = the action will be in progress at that time (it started before and continues after). Will + verb = the action starts or happens at that time, or it's a decision, promise or offer.
When you get here, we'll be eating.
we'll have started before you arrive
When you get here, we'll eat.
we'll start when you arrive
I'm thirsty. — Wait, I'll get you some water.
an offer → will + verb
| Time | Sentence | Tense |
|---|---|---|
| 9 o'clock yesterday | At nine yesterday, Nam was teaching. | past continuous |
| now (9 o'clock) | It's nine now. Nam is teaching. | present continuous |
| 9 o'clock tomorrow | At nine tomorrow, Nam will be teaching. | future continuous |
- State verbs (know, want, like, believe…) are not usually used in this form: I'll know the results tomorrow (not: will be knowing).
- After when, while, until, as soon as…, use the present even about the future: When you arrive, I'll be waiting (not: will arrive) — see the lesson “Future time clauses”.
4.Common mistakes
This time tomorrow I will sitting in the exam room.This time tomorrow I will be sitting in the exam room.
be is missing.
I will be study until nine.I will be studying until nine.
will be needs -ing after it.
Will be you using the printer later?Will you be using the printer later?
Only will goes before the subject.
When you will arrive, I'll be waiting.When you arrive, I'll be waiting.
After when → present simple.
I'll be knowing the results tomorrow.I'll know the results tomorrow.
know is a state verb.
I'm cold. — I'll be closing the window.I'm cold. — I'll close the window.
An offer or instant decision → will + verb.
Examples
- This time tomorrow, I will be lying on a beach in Phú Quốc.
- Don't phone between seven and eight. We will be having dinner.
- This time next week, we will be flying to Seoul.
- Will you be using your laptop this evening? I need to check my email.
