The Future Continuous Tense is one of the most important tenses in English grammar. We use it to talk about actions or events that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Whether you are describing an activity that will be happening tomorrow, making predictions about ongoing future events, or talking about planned actions in progress, the Future Continuous Tense helps you express continuous future actions clearly. In this guide, you will learn the rules, sentence structure, signal words, and plenty of examples of the Future Continuous Tense. You will also find common mistakes, practice exercises, and free printable worksheets to help you master this important tense.
When Do We Use the Future Continuous Tense?
We use the Future Continuous Tense to describe actions or events that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It is commonly used to talk about ongoing future activities, planned events, actions interrupted by another future action, and predictions about what will be happening. The exact time may be mentioned or understood from the context.
1. To Describe an Action That Will Be in Progress at a Specific Time
We use the Future Continuous Tense to talk about an action that will be happening at a particular time in the future.
Example: She will be studying at 8:00 p.m.
2. To Describe Planned or Expected Future Activities
We use the Future Continuous Tense to talk about activities that are expected or planned to be in progress in the future.
Example: They will be traveling to Dubai next week.
3. To Describe Two Actions Happening at the Same Time in the Future
We use the Future Continuous Tense when two actions will be happening simultaneously in the future.
Example: While I will be preparing dinner, my sister will be setting the table.
4. To Describe an Ongoing Action Interrupted by Another Future Action
We use the Future Continuous Tense for the longer action that will be in progress when another future action happens.
Example: I will be sleeping when you arrive.
5. To Make Polite Inquiries About Future Plans
We use the Future Continuous Tense to ask politely about someone's plans or schedule without sounding too direct.
Example: Will you be using your car this evening?
Signal Words of the Future Continuous Tense
Signal words are words and phrases that often indicate the use of the Future Continuous Tense. They help us recognize that an action or event will be in progress at a particular time in the future.
Common Signal Words
The following signal words are frequently used with the Future Continuous Tense:
- At this time tomorrow – I will be flying to Lahore at this time tomorrow.
- At 8:00 p.m. tomorrow – She will be studying at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.
- This time next week – They will be relaxing on the beach this time next week.
- Tomorrow morning – We will be traveling tomorrow morning.
- Tomorrow afternoon – He will be attending a meeting tomorrow afternoon.
- Tomorrow evening – I will be watching a movie tomorrow evening.
- Next week – She will be working in Islamabad next week.
- Next month – They will be living in a new house next month.
- Later today – We will be discussing the project later today.
- Soon – The children will be playing outside soon.
Common Time Expressions
The following time expressions are also commonly used with the Future Continuous Tense:
- When – I will be sleeping when you arrive.
- While – She will be cooking while I will be setting the table.
- By this time tomorrow – We will be traveling by this time tomorrow.
- During the meeting – He will be taking notes during the meeting.
- Throughout the day – They will be working throughout the day.
- All day tomorrow – She will be studying all day tomorrow.
- All evening – We will be waiting for your call all evening.
- At that moment – I will be giving a presentation at that moment.
- From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. – He will be practicing football from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- For two hours – They will be driving for two hours.
Note: Signal words are useful clues that help identify the Future Continuous Tense, but they are not required in every sentence. Many Future Continuous sentences do not contain signal words because the context already makes the meaning clear.
Forms of the Future Continuous Tense
The Future Continuous Tense is used in three common forms, depending on the type of verb in the sentence. Each form follows its own sentence structure and is used to express different meanings.
1. Future Continuous with Action Verbs
Action verbs describe what a person, animal, or thing will be doing at a specific time in the future. This form is used to talk about ongoing future actions, planned activities, and actions that will be in progress.
Examples:
- She will be studying at 8:00 p.m.
- They will be playing football tomorrow afternoon.
- I will be traveling to Lahore next week.
2. Future Continuous with the Verb "To Be"
The Future Continuous form of the verb "to be" (will be being) is grammatically possible but is very rare in modern English. It is occasionally used to emphasize that a temporary state or condition will be continuing at a particular time in the future. In everyday English, native speakers usually prefer the Simple Future Tense (will be) instead.
Examples:
- She will be being interviewed when you arrive. (rare)
- He will be being very careful during the experiment. (rare)
- They will be being monitored throughout the process. (rare)
3. Future Continuous with the Verb "Have"
The Future Continuous form will be having is used when have means experiencing, taking part in, eating, drinking, or doing something. It is not used to express possession or ownership.
Examples:
- She will be having lunch at noon.
- We will be having a meeting tomorrow morning.
- They will be having a great time on vacation.
In the following sections, you will learn how to form positive, negative, and interrogative sentences for each of these three forms, along with their rules, structures, and examples.
Future Continuous Tense with Action Verbs
The Future Continuous Tense with action verbs is used to describe actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. These actions may be happening tomorrow, next week, next month, or at any future time. Action verbs express what a person, animal, or thing will be doing, such as study, visit, play, write, and travel.
Positive Sentences
In positive sentences, use will be followed by the -ing form (present participle) of the main verb.
Structure:
Subject + will be + Verb (-ing) + Object
Examples:
- I will be visiting my grandparents tomorrow.
- She will be finishing her homework at 8:00 p.m.
- They will be watching a movie this evening.
- He will be playing football after school.
- We will be traveling to Murree next month.
Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, use will not be (won't be) followed by the -ing form of the main verb.
Structure:
Subject + will not be + Verb (-ing) + Object
Examples:
- I will not be visiting my grandparents tomorrow.
- She will not be finishing her homework at 8:00 p.m.
- They will not be watching the movie.
- He will not be playing football after school.
- We will not be traveling next month.
Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences, place will before the subject, followed by be and the -ing form of the main verb.
Structure:
Will + Subject + be + Verb (-ing) + Object?
Examples:
- Will you be visiting your grandparents tomorrow?
- Will she be finishing her homework at 8:00 p.m.?
- Will they be watching the movie?
- Will he be playing football after school?
- Will we be traveling next month?
Using "-ing" Verbs in the Future Continuous Tense
In the Future Continuous Tense, the helping verbs will be are always followed by the -ing form (present participle) of the main verb. The main verb never changes according to the subject.
Examples:
- play → will be playing
- work → will be working
- visit → will be visiting
- clean → will be cleaning
- write → will be writing
Remember: Always use the -ing form of the verb after will be and will not be. Never use the base form (V1) or the past form (V2) after will be.
Examples:
- She will be visiting her aunt.
- She will not be visiting her aunt.
- Will she be visiting her aunt?
Future Continuous Tense with the Verb "To Be"
The Future Continuous form of the verb "to be" is will be being. Although it is grammatically correct, it is extremely rare and is usually avoided in modern English. Native speakers normally use the Simple Future Tense (will be) instead because it sounds more natural and is easier to understand.
The form will be being is occasionally used to emphasize that a temporary state or condition will be continuing at a particular time in the future, but such usage is uncommon.
Positive Sentences
Structure:
Subject + will be being + Complement
The complement may be a noun, pronoun, adjective, or prepositional phrase.
Examples:
- She will be being interviewed when the reporters arrive. (rare)
- The patient will be being monitored throughout the operation. (rare)
- He will be being observed during the experiment. (rare)
Negative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + will not be being + Complement
Examples:
- She will not be being interviewed tomorrow. (rare)
- The patient will not be being monitored after midnight. (rare)
- He will not be being observed during the test. (rare)
Interrogative Sentences
Structure:
Will + Subject + be being + Complement?
Examples:
- Will she be being interviewed tomorrow? (rare)
- Will the patient be being monitored during the procedure? (rare)
- Will he be being observed throughout the experiment? (rare)
When Is "Will Be Being" Used?
The form will be being is mostly found in formal, technical, or academic writing. In everyday conversation, it is usually replaced with the simpler and more natural form will be.
Examples:
- Rare: She will be being interviewed at 10:00 a.m.
- Natural: She will be interviewed at 10:00 a.m. (Passive Voice)
- Natural: She will be available for an interview at 10:00 a.m.
Remember: Although will be being is grammatically possible, it is extremely rare in modern English. In most situations, use the Simple Future Tense (will be) or another more natural sentence structure instead.
Future Continuous Tense with the Verb "Have" (Using Will Be Having)
The Future Continuous form of the verb have is will be having. It is used only when have means experiencing, taking part in, eating, drinking, or doing something. It is not used to express possession or ownership. When talking about future possession, use the Simple Future Tense (will have) instead.
The form will be having describes an activity or experience that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
Positive Sentences
Structure:
Subject + will be having + Object or Complement
Examples:
- I will be having lunch at noon.
- She will be having a meeting at 10:00 a.m.
- He will be having dinner with his family this evening.
- We will be having a great time on vacation.
- They will be having an English class tomorrow morning.
Negative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + will not be having + Object or Complement
Examples:
- I will not be having lunch at noon.
- She will not be having the meeting tomorrow.
- He will not be having dinner at home.
- We will not be having a party this weekend.
- They will not be having classes during the holidays.
Interrogative Sentences
Structure:
Will + Subject + be having + Object or Complement?
Examples:
- Will you be having lunch with us?
- Will she be having a meeting tomorrow?
- Will he be having dinner at the restaurant?
- Will we be having an exam next week?
- Will they be having a good time at the party?
Common Uses of "Will Be Having"
The form will be having is commonly used when have means experiencing or taking part in an activity rather than expressing possession.
Eating or Drinking
Examples:
- She will be having breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
- We will be having coffee after the meeting.
Meetings, Classes, and Events
Examples:
- They will be having a meeting tomorrow afternoon.
- The students will be having a science class at that time.
Experiences
Examples:
- I will be having a wonderful vacation next month.
- They will be having a great time at the concert.
Medical or Personal Appointments
Examples:
- He will be having a medical check-up tomorrow.
- She will be having a dental appointment in the afternoon.
Activities in Progress
Examples:
- We will be having a discussion during the workshop.
- The team will be having a practice session this evening.
Remember: Use will be having only when have means experiencing, eating, drinking, or taking part in an activity. To express future possession or ownership, use will have, not will be having.
Examples:
- She will be having lunch at noon. ✓
- She will have a new car next year. ✓
- She will be having a new car next year. ✗ (Incorrect for possession)
Examples of the Future Continuous Tense
The following examples demonstrate how the Future Continuous Tense is used in different situations. They include sentences with action verbs, the verb "to be" (will be being), and the verb "have" (will be having).
Actions in Progress at a Specific Time
- I will be studying at 8:00 p.m. tonight.
- She will be driving to work tomorrow morning.
- They will be watching a movie this evening.
- He will be playing football after school.
- We will be traveling to Islamabad next week.
Planned or Expected Future Activities
- She will be attending a conference next Friday.
- They will be staying at a hotel during their vacation.
- I will be working from home tomorrow.
- He will be preparing for his exams next month.
- We will be shopping this afternoon.
Actions Interrupted by Another Future Action
- I will be sleeping when you call.
- She will be cooking when her guests arrive.
- They will be studying when the teacher enters the classroom.
- He will be driving when the meeting starts.
- We will be having dinner when you reach our house.
Examples with the Verb "To Be"
- She will be being interviewed at 10:00 a.m. (rare)
- The patient will be being monitored during the operation. (rare)
- He will be being observed throughout the experiment. (rare)
Examples with the Verb "Have"
- I will be having lunch at noon.
- She will be having a meeting tomorrow morning.
- He will be having dinner with his family.
- We will be having a wonderful time on vacation.
- They will be having an English class at this time tomorrow.
Common Mistakes in the Future Continuous Tense
Learners often make mistakes when using the Future Continuous Tense, especially with the helping verbs will be, the -ing form of the main verb, and the verbs "to be" and "have". Understanding these common errors will help you write and speak English more accurately.
1. Using the Base Form Instead of the "-ing" Form
After will be or will not be, always use the -ing form (present participle) of the main verb.
Incorrect: She will be study tonight.
Correct: She will be studying tonight.
Incorrect: They will be play football.
Correct: They will be playing football.
2. Omitting "Be" After "Will"
The helping verb be is required before the -ing form.
Incorrect: He will working tomorrow.
Correct: He will be working tomorrow.
Incorrect: We will travelling next week.
Correct: We will be travelling next week.
3. Using the Wrong Word Order in Questions
In interrogative sentences, place will before the subject.
Incorrect: She will be studying tonight?
Correct: Will she be studying tonight?
Incorrect: They will be traveling tomorrow?
Correct: Will they be traveling tomorrow?
4. Using "Will Be Having" to Express Possession
Use will be having only when have means experiencing or taking part in an activity. Use will have to express future possession.
Incorrect: She will be having a new car next year.
Correct: She will have a new car next year.
Correct: She will be having lunch at noon.
5. Overusing "Will Be Being"
The form will be being is grammatically correct but extremely rare. In most situations, use will be or another more natural sentence structure instead.
Less Natural: She will be being interviewed at 10:00 a.m.
More Natural: She will be interviewed at 10:00 a.m.
6. Using Stative Verbs in the Future Continuous Tense
Stative verbs such as know, believe, understand, love, own, and belong are not normally used in continuous tenses.
Incorrect: I will be knowing the answer tomorrow.
Correct: I will know the answer tomorrow.
Incorrect: She will be owning a new house next year.
Correct: She will own a new house next year.
Tip: Before writing or speaking in the Future Continuous Tense, always check:
- Did you use will be correctly?
- Did you use the -ing form of the verb after will be?
- Did you avoid using stative verbs in the Future Continuous Tense?
- Did you use will be having only for experiences or activities, not possession?
- Did you avoid using will be being unless it was absolutely necessary?
Practice Exercise
Test your understanding of the Future Continuous Tense by completing the following exercises. Check your answers after completing all the questions.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- She ________ her homework at 8:00 p.m. tonight. (finish)
- They ________ to Lahore next week. (travel)
- He ________ lunch at noon. (have)
- We ________ for the meeting tomorrow morning. (prepare)
- I ________ my friend when you arrive. (meet)
- The children ________ in the park this afternoon. (play)
- My father ________ a presentation at this time tomorrow. (give)
- They ________ dinner when we reach their house. (have)
- She ________ for her exams all evening. (study)
- We ________ a movie tonight. (watch)
Exercise 2: Make the Sentences Negative
Rewrite the following sentences in the negative form.
- She will be visiting her grandparents tomorrow.
- They will be having lunch at noon.
- He will be working this evening.
- We will be traveling next week.
- I will be attending the meeting.
Exercise 3: Change the Sentences into Questions
Rewrite the following sentences as interrogative sentences.
- She will be studying at 8:00 p.m.
- He will be having dinner with his family.
- They will be traveling tomorrow.
- You will be using the computer this evening.
- We will be watching the match tonight.
Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Answer
Choose the correct option.
- She ________ her homework at 8:00 p.m.
a) will finish
b) will be finishing
c) finished - ________ they be traveling next week?
a) Do
b) Will
c) Are - We ________ lunch at noon.
a) will have
b) will be having
c) had - He ________ for his exams tomorrow evening.
a) will study
b) will be studying
c) studies - I ________ a movie when you call.
a) watch
b) will be watching
c) watched
Exercise 5: Correct the Mistakes
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
- She will be studying at 8:00 p.m.
- They will traveling tomorrow.
- He will be have lunch at noon.
- She will be having a new car next year.
- Will she be studies tonight?
Tip: Try to complete the exercises without looking at the rules. Once you finish, compare your answers with the explanations or continue practicing with our free printable Future Continuous Tense worksheets for extra practice.
Short Summary
The Future Continuous Tense is used to describe actions or events that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It is commonly used for ongoing future actions, planned activities, actions interrupted by another future event, and polite inquiries about future plans. The Future Continuous Tense has three common forms: action verbs, the verb "to be" (will be being, which is extremely rare), and the verb "have" (will be having, when have means experiencing or taking part in an activity). By understanding the correct sentence structures and practicing regularly, you can use the Future Continuous Tense accurately and confidently.
Download Free Future Continuous Tense Worksheets
Strengthen your understanding of the Future Continuous Tense with our free printable worksheets. These worksheets are designed for students, teachers, parents, and English language learners and include a variety of exercises to help you practice sentence formation, verb forms, and correct tense usage.
You can download and print the worksheets for classroom activities, homework, self-study, revision, or test preparation.
Visit our page Future Tense Worksheets to download A4 size printable worksheets.