Future Continuous Tense: Rules, Uses, Examples, Exercises & Answers

Future Continuous Tense

Complete Grammar Guide with Rules, Uses, Examples, Exercises and Answers

1. Introduction: What Will Be Happening?

Imagine that someone asks you, “What will you be doing at 8 o’clock tomorrow evening?”

You might answer:

“I will be studying.”

“I will be travelling.”

“I will be having dinner with my family.”

Notice that we are not simply talking about something that will happen. We are imagining an activity that will already be in progress at a particular time in the future.

This is the main idea behind the Future Continuous Tense.

Easy idea to remember:

Future Continuous tells us what will be happening at a particular time in the future.

2. What Is the Future Continuous Tense?

The Future Continuous Tense is used to describe an action or activity that will be in progress at a particular time in the future.

Its basic structure is:

Subject + will be + verb-ing

I will be studying at 8 p.m.
She will be travelling tomorrow morning.
They will be playing football in the evening.

The focus is on the activity in progress, rather than simply the fact that the activity will happen.

3. Future Continuous on a Timeline

PAST            PRESENT                FUTURE
─────────────── ● ──────────────── ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ─────→
               NOW             ACTION IN PROGRESS

At a particular future time → the activity will be happening.

At 10 p.m. tonight, I will be sleeping.

The sentence does not necessarily tell us exactly when the sleeping begins or ends. It focuses on the fact that the activity will be in progress at 10 p.m.

4. Sentence Structure of Future Continuous

Type	Structure	Example
Affirmative	Subject + will be + V-ing	She will be studying.
Negative	Subject + will not be + V-ing	She will not be studying.
Interrogative	Will + subject + be + V-ing?	Will she be studying?
WH Question	WH-word + will + subject + be + V-ing?	What will she be studying?

5. Affirmative Sentences

The affirmative form is made with:

Subject + will be + verb-ing

I will be working tomorrow afternoon.
You will be studying at 7 p.m.
He will be travelling next week.
She will be preparing dinner.
We will be watching a movie tonight.
They will be playing cricket in the evening.

Important: The form of will does not change according to the subject.

6. Negative Sentences

To make a negative sentence, use will not be + verb-ing.

Subject + will not be + V-ing

I will not be working tomorrow.
She will not be attending the meeting.
He will not be staying at home.
They will not be playing tomorrow evening.

The contracted form is:

will not be = won’t be

I won’t be sleeping at 9 p.m.
She won’t be working tomorrow afternoon.

7. Interrogative Sentences

To form a question, place will before the subject.

Will + subject + be + V-ing?

Will you be studying tonight?
Will she be working tomorrow?
Will he be travelling next week?
Will they be playing cricket in the evening?

Short Answers

Will you be studying tonight?

Yes, I will.
No, I won’t.

In short answers, we normally use will/won’t rather than repeating the entire Future Continuous verb phrase.

8. WH Questions

WH questions begin with a question word followed by will + subject + be + verb-ing.

WH-word + will + subject + be + V-ing?

What will you be doing tomorrow?
Where will she be staying?
When will they be arriving?
Why will he be working late?
Who will you be meeting?
How long will you be staying there?

9. Use 1: An Action in Progress at a Specific Future Time

This is the most important use of Future Continuous.

We use it when an action will be in progress at a particular time in the future.

At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be studying.

At this time tomorrow, we will be travelling.

At 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, the students will be writing their examination.

Key question:
“What will be happening at that particular future time?”

10. Use 2: An Activity That Will Be in Progress During a Future Period

Future Continuous can describe an activity that will be happening during a period of future time.

This time next week, I will be staying in Bengaluru.
Tomorrow afternoon, she will be teaching her students.
During the holidays, they will be travelling around the country.

The focus is on the activity as something unfolding during that future period.

11. Use 3: An Action Interrupted or Occurring Around Another Future Event

Future Continuous can show that one activity will already be in progress when another future event occurs.

When you arrive, I will be waiting for you.

When the teacher enters the classroom, the students will be writing their answers.

The Future Continuous activity is already imagined as being in progress at the relevant future moment.

In the time clause introduced by when, we normally use the Simple Present for future meaning:

✔ When you arrive, I will be waiting.
✘ When you will arrive, I will be waiting.

12. Use 4: Asking About Someone’s Plans in a Polite or Neutral Way

Future Continuous can be used to ask about someone's expected activities, often in a more neutral or less direct way than asking about a definite intention.

Will you be using the computer this evening?
Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?
Will you be staying here tonight?

These questions can be useful when we want to know what someone is expected to be doing.

Compare:

“Will you use the computer tonight?” can sound like a question about a decision or willingness.

“Will you be using the computer tonight?” often sounds more like a neutral question about your expected activity.

13. Use 5: Two Future Activities Happening at the Same Time

Future Continuous can describe two activities that will be in progress at the same time.

At 8 p.m., I will be reading while my brother will be watching television.

Tomorrow afternoon, the teachers will be conducting classes while the students will be completing their assignments.

The tense helps us imagine the activities as ongoing at the same future time.

14. Use 6: Expected Future Activity

Future Continuous can describe something that we expect to be happening as part of a future situation.

Don't call me at 9 p.m. I will be sleeping.
She will be working all afternoon.
The children will be playing outside after lunch.

The speaker is presenting the activity as something expected to be in progress.

15. Common Time Expressions

Future Continuous frequently occurs with expressions that identify a future point or period.

Time Expression	Example
at this time tomorrow	At this time tomorrow, I will be travelling.
at 8 p.m. tonight	I will be studying at 8 p.m. tonight.
this time next week	This time next week, we will be staying in Goa.
tomorrow morning	She will be working tomorrow morning.
tomorrow afternoon	They will be playing tomorrow afternoon.
tomorrow evening	We will be attending a programme tomorrow evening.
all day tomorrow	He will be working all day tomorrow.
all evening	She will be studying all evening.
during the meeting	I will be taking notes during the meeting.

Time expressions are useful clues, but they do not automatically determine the tense. Meaning and context are important.

16. Why Do We Use the -ing Form?

Future Continuous contains three important parts:

will + be + verb-ing

will + be + studying
will + be + working
will + be + travelling

The -ing form shows that the activity is viewed as ongoing.

Think of it this way:

will → future
be + -ing → activity in progress

17. Spelling Rules for the -ing Form

Base Verb	-ing Form	Example
work	working	will be working
play	playing	will be playing
write	writing	will be writing
make	making	will be making
run	running	will be running
sit	sitting	will be sitting
travel	travelling	will be travelling

Follow the normal spelling rules for forming the present participle.

18. Important Note About Stative Verbs

Future Continuous is normally used with dynamic activities that can naturally be viewed as ongoing.

I will be working at 6 p.m. ✔
She will be studying tonight. ✔
They will be playing football. ✔

Many stative verbs are not normally used in the continuous form when they express a state.

I will know the answer tomorrow. ✔
Not normally: I will be knowing the answer tomorrow.

Some verbs can have both state and activity meanings, so their continuous forms may be possible in particular contexts. The important point is to learn the meaning of the verb in the sentence rather than memorising an absolute list.

19. Future Simple vs. Future Continuous

This is one of the most important comparisons for students.

Future Simple	Future Continuous
Focuses on the future action, event or decision.	Focuses on an activity in progress at a future time.
I will study tonight.	I will be studying at 8 p.m. tonight.
She will work tomorrow.	She will be working at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
They will travel next week.	This time next week, they will be travelling.

Easy comparison:

Future Simple: What will happen?
Future Continuous: What will be happening at that time?

20. Look at the Difference

Sentence 1: I will read the book tonight.
→ The statement focuses on the future action.

Sentence 2: I will be reading the book at 9 p.m. tonight.
→ The statement focuses on the activity being in progress at 9 p.m.

Sentence 3: She will travel to Delhi next week.
→ Focus: the future event.

Sentence 4: This time next week, she will be travelling to Delhi.
→ Focus: the journey/activity in progress around that future time.

21. Future Continuous vs. Be Going To

Be going to commonly expresses a prior plan or intention, while Future Continuous focuses on an activity that will be in progress at a future time.

I am going to study tonight.
→ This focuses on my plan or intention.

At 8 p.m., I will be studying.
→ This focuses on the activity in progress at 8 p.m.

Both forms can refer to the same general future situation, but the speaker's focus is different.

22. Future Continuous vs. Present Continuous

The Present Continuous can express an arranged future event, while Future Continuous describes an activity that will be in progress at a future time.

I am meeting my friend at 6 p.m. tomorrow.
→ A planned arrangement.

At 6 p.m. tomorrow, I will be meeting my friend.
→ Focus on what will be happening at that time.

23. Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect

Future Continuous and Future Perfect have different meanings.

Tense	Main Idea	Example
Future Continuous	Activity in progress	At 8 p.m., I will be studying.
Future Perfect	Action completed before a future point	By 8 p.m., I will have finished my study session.

Continuous = in progress
Perfect = completed before a future point

24. Future Continuous with “When”

Future Continuous is frequently used in the main clause with a future time clause.

When you arrive, I will be waiting for you.
When the students come, the teachers will be preparing the materials.
When she calls, I will be travelling.

Remember that the future time clause normally uses the Simple Present:

✔ When you arrive, I will be waiting.
✘ When you will arrive, I will be waiting.

25. Future Continuous in Everyday Conversation

Ravi: What will you be doing tomorrow evening?

Arun: I’ll be attending a family function.

Ravi: Will you be staying there for long?

Arun: Yes. I’ll probably be staying until late evening.

Ravi: Then I won’t call you at that time.

Arun: Thanks. I’ll call you when I get home.

Notice that Future Continuous makes the questions sound natural when asking about someone's expected activities.

26. Future Continuous in Real-Life Situations

At school:
At 11 a.m., the students will be writing their test.

At home:
At 9 p.m., my family will be watching television.

While travelling:
This time tomorrow, we will be travelling by train.

At work:
Tomorrow morning, I will be teaching my students.

During a programme:
At noon, the guests will be giving their speeches.

27. Reading Practice

Tomorrow will be a busy day at our school. At 8:30 in the morning, the teachers will be preparing their classrooms. At 9 o’clock, the students will be entering the school building. By 10 o’clock, most students will be attending their regular classes.

At noon, the science club members will be conducting a special activity in the laboratory. Meanwhile, the other students will be having their lunch. In the afternoon, the teachers will be checking the students’ notebooks and the students will be completing their assignments.

By the end of the day, everyone will be getting ready to go home.

Answer the Questions

1. What will the teachers be doing at 8:30 in the morning?
2. What will the students be doing at 9 o’clock?
3. What will most students be doing at 10 o’clock?
4. What will the science club members be doing at noon?
5. What will the other students be doing while the science club members are working?
6. What will the teachers be checking in the afternoon?

28. Writing Practice

Write 8–10 sentences on:

“What I Will Be Doing Tomorrow”

Try to mention different times of the day.

For example:
At 7 a.m., I will be getting ready for school.
At 10 a.m., I will be studying English.
At 8 p.m., I will be having dinner with my family.

29. Speaking Practice

Work with a partner. Ask and answer these questions using Future Continuous wherever appropriate.

1. What will you be doing at 7 p.m. tonight?
2. What will you be doing tomorrow morning?
3. Where will you be staying next weekend?
4. What will you be doing this time next week?
5. Will you be studying tonight?
6. Will you be travelling during your next holiday?
7. What will your family be doing this evening?

Speaking challenge: Answer each question in at least two complete sentences.

30. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the Future Continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1. At 8 p.m. tonight, I ________ for my examination. (study)
2. This time tomorrow, we ________ to Bengaluru. (travel)
3. She ________ dinner at 9 p.m. (cook)
4. They ________ football tomorrow afternoon. (play)
5. He ________ at this time next week. (work)
6. At noon, the students ________ their examination. (write)
7. We ________ television in the evening. (watch)
8. At 6 o’clock, my father ________ home from work. (return)
9. This time next month, I ________ in a new city. (live)
10. Tomorrow morning, the teachers ________ their classes. (teach)

Exercise 2: Make Negative Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences in the negative.

1. I will be studying at 8 p.m.
2. She will be working tomorrow morning.
3. They will be playing cricket in the evening.
4. He will be travelling next week.
5. We will be watching television tonight.
6. The students will be writing the test at 10 a.m.
7. She will be staying there tomorrow.
8. They will be waiting for us.

Exercise 3: Make Questions

Rewrite the following sentences as questions.

1. You will be studying tonight.
2. She will be working tomorrow.
3. They will be travelling next week.
4. He will be attending the meeting.
5. We will be waiting for you.
6. The students will be writing the examination at 10 a.m.

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Answer

1. At 9 p.m. tonight, I ________ television.
   a) will watch    b) will be watching    c) am watch
2. This time tomorrow, they ________ to Delhi.
   a) will travel    b) will be travelling    c) travelled
3. Will you ________ at 8 p.m.?
   a) be studying    b) studying    c) be study
4. She ________ working tomorrow afternoon.
   a) will be    b) will    c) will is
5. When you arrive, I ________ for you.
   a) will wait    b) will be waiting    c) am waiting
6. At noon, the students ________ their lunch.
   a) will be having    b) will have    c) have
7. This time next week, he ________ in Mumbai.
   a) will be staying    b) will stays    c) is stay
8. ________ you be using the computer this evening?
   a) Will    b) Are    c) Do
9. At 7 a.m. tomorrow, my mother ________ breakfast.
   a) will prepare    b) will be preparing    c) prepares
10. I won't ________ at home at that time.
    a) be staying    b) staying    c) be stay

Exercise 5: Complete the Sentences

Complete each sentence logically using the Future Continuous.

1. At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be __________________.
2. This time tomorrow, we will be __________________.
3. At noon tomorrow, the students will be __________________.
4. Tomorrow evening, my family will be __________________.
5. When you arrive, I will be __________________.
6. This time next week, I will be __________________.

Exercise 6: Correct the Errors

Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1. I will be study at 8 p.m.
2. She will studying tomorrow.
3. They will be plays cricket.
4. He will be work tomorrow morning.
5. Will you be study tonight?
6. She won't be works tomorrow.
7. When he will arrive, I will be waiting.
8. We will be travel next week.
9. At 9 p.m., I will be sleep.
10. Will she be comes with us?

Exercise 7: Future Simple or Future Continuous?

Choose the more appropriate form according to the meaning.

1. I think it ________ tomorrow.
   a) will rain    b) will be raining
2. At 8 p.m. tonight, I ________ for my examination.
   a) will study    b) will be studying
3. The train ________ at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
   a) will leave    b) will be leaving
4. This time next week, we ________ on the beach.
   a) will relax    b) will be relaxing
5. I ________ you tomorrow. I promise.
   a) will call    b) will be calling
6. At 10 a.m. tomorrow, the students ________ their test.
   a) will write    b) will be writing
7. Don't call me at 11 p.m. I ________ then.
   a) will sleep    b) will be sleeping
8. I think she ________ the examination.
   a) will pass    b) will be passing

Exercise 8: Future Time Clauses

Choose the correct form of the verb.

1. When you ________, I will be waiting for you. (arrive)
2. When the teacher ________, the students will be writing. (come)
3. As soon as she ________, we will be leaving. (call)
4. When they ________ home, I will be sleeping. (reach)
5. After the meeting ________, we will be discussing the results. (finish)

31. Quick Revision Chart

Purpose	Example
Action in progress at a future time	At 8 p.m., I will be studying.
Activity during a future period	This time next week, we will be travelling.
Expected activity	She will be working tomorrow afternoon.
Activity around another future event	When you arrive, I will be waiting.
Polite/neutral enquiry about expected activity	Will you be using the computer tonight?
Two simultaneous future activities	I will be reading while he will be watching TV.

32. Final Assessment

Final Assessment Test (Parts A–F)

Part A – Choose the Correct Answer

1. At 8 p.m. tonight, I ________ my homework.
   a) will be doing    b) will do    c) do
2. This time tomorrow, they ________ to Mysuru.
   a) will travel    b) will be travelling    c) travel
3. Will she ________ at 9 p.m.?
   a) be sleeping    b) sleeping    c) be sleep
4. When you arrive, we ________ dinner.
   a) will have    b) will be having    c) have
5. He ________ working tomorrow afternoon.
   a) will be    b) will    c) will is

Part B – Fill in the Blanks

1. At 7 p.m., I ________ dinner. (have)
2. This time next week, we ________ in Delhi. (stay)
3. Tomorrow morning, she ________ at school. (teach)
4. At noon, the students ________ their examination. (write)
5. At 10 p.m., he ________. (sleep)

Part C – Rewrite in the Negative

1. I will be working at 8 p.m.
2. She will be travelling tomorrow.
3. They will be playing football.
4. He will be attending the meeting.

Part D – Make Questions

1. You will be studying tonight.
2. She will be working tomorrow.
3. They will be travelling next week.
4. He will be attending the programme.

Part E – Correct the Errors

1. She will studying tomorrow.
2. I will be work at 8 p.m.
3. They will be plays cricket.
4. Will you be study tonight?
5. When he will arrive, I will be waiting.

Part F – Short Writing

Write 6–8 sentences on:

“What I Will Be Doing Tomorrow at Different Times”

33. Complete Answer Key

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

1. will be studying
2. will be travelling
3. will be cooking
4. will be playing
5. will be working
6. will be writing
7. will be watching
8. will be returning
9. will be living
10. will be teaching

Exercise 2 – Negative Sentences

1. I will not be studying at 8 p.m. / I won’t be studying at 8 p.m.
2. She will not be working tomorrow morning. / She won’t be working tomorrow morning.
3. They will not be playing cricket in the evening. / They won’t be playing cricket in the evening.
4. He will not be travelling next week. / He won’t be travelling next week.
5. We will not be watching television tonight. / We won’t be watching television tonight.
6. The students will not be writing the test at 10 a.m. / The students won’t be writing the test at 10 a.m.
7. She will not be staying there tomorrow. / She won’t be staying there tomorrow.
8. They will not be waiting for us. / They won’t be waiting for us.

Exercise 3 – Questions

1. Will you be studying tonight?
2. Will she be working tomorrow?
3. Will they be travelling next week?
4. Will he be attending the meeting?
5. Will we be waiting for you?
6. Will the students be writing the examination at 10 a.m.?

Exercise 4 – MCQ Answers

1. b) will be watching
2. b) will be travelling
3. a) be studying
4. a) will be
5. b) will be waiting
6. a) will be having
7. a) will be staying
8. a) Will
9. b) will be preparing
10. a) be staying

Exercise 5 – Sample Answers

1. At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be studying.
2. This time tomorrow, we will be travelling to Bengaluru.
3. At noon tomorrow, the students will be writing their examination.
4. Tomorrow evening, my family will be watching television.
5. When you arrive, I will be waiting for you.
6. This time next week, I will be staying in another city.

Other grammatically appropriate answers are also possible.

Exercise 6 – Error Correction

1. I will be studying at 8 p.m.
2. She will be studying tomorrow.
3. They will be playing cricket.
4. He will be working tomorrow morning.
5. Will you be studying tonight?
6. She won’t be working tomorrow.
7. When he arrives, I will be waiting.
8. We will be travelling next week.
9. At 9 p.m., I will be sleeping.
10. Will she be coming with us?

Exercise 7 – Future Simple or Future Continuous?

1. a) will rain
2. b) will be studying
3. a) will leave
4. b) will be relaxing
5. a) will call
6. b) will be writing
7. b) will be sleeping
8. a) will pass

Exercise 8 – Future Time Clauses

1. arrive
2. comes
3. calls
4. reach
5. finishes

Final Assessment – Answer Key

Part A – MCQ

1. a) will be doing
2. b) will be travelling
3. a) be sleeping
4. b) will be having
5. a) will be

Part B – Fill in the Blanks

1. will be having
2. will be staying
3. will be teaching
4. will be writing
5. will be sleeping

Part C – Negative

1. I will not be working at 8 p.m. / I won’t be working at 8 p.m.
2. She will not be travelling tomorrow. / She won’t be travelling tomorrow.
3. They will not be playing football. / They won’t be playing football.
4. He will not be attending the meeting. / He won’t be attending the meeting.

Part D – Questions

1. Will you be studying tonight?
2. Will she be working tomorrow?
3. Will they be travelling next week?
4. Will he be attending the programme?

Part E – Error Correction

1. She will be studying tomorrow.
2. I will be working at 8 p.m.
3. They will be playing cricket.
4. Will you be studying tonight?
5. When he arrives, I will be waiting.

Part F – Writing

Answers will vary. Students should use Future Continuous appropriately to describe activities that will be in progress at particular future times.

34. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the formula of Future Continuous Tense?

The basic formula is:

Subject + will be + verb-ing

Example: I will be studying at 8 p.m.

2. What is the negative form of Future Continuous?

The negative form is:

Subject + will not be + verb-ing

Example: She will not be working tomorrow.

Short form: She won’t be working tomorrow.

3. What is the question form?

The question form is:

Will + subject + be + verb-ing?

Example: Will you be studying tonight?

4. When do we use Future Continuous?

We mainly use Future Continuous for an activity that will be in progress at a particular future time or during a future period.

5. What is the difference between Future Simple and Future Continuous?

Future Simple generally focuses on what will happen. Future Continuous focuses on what will be happening at a particular future time.

Example:

I will study tonight.

At 8 p.m., I will be studying.

6. Can Future Continuous be used with “when”?

Yes. The main clause can use Future Continuous, while the future time clause normally uses Simple Present.

Example: When you arrive, I will be waiting.

7. What is the short form of “will not be”?

Will not be = won’t be.

Example: I won’t be working tomorrow.

8. Can we use Future Continuous for plans?

Yes. It can describe an activity that is expected to be in progress as part of a future situation. However, if the main purpose is simply to state a prior intention, “be going to” or another future form may be more appropriate.

9. Why do we use “be” after “will”?

Future Continuous is formed with the auxiliary sequence will + be + verb-ing. The “be” is necessary to form the continuous aspect.

10. What is the easiest way to remember Future Continuous?

Remember this question:

“What will be happening at that time?”

If the focus is on an activity that will be in progress at a particular future time, Future Continuous is often appropriate.

35. Conclusion

The Future Continuous Tense helps us look into the future and imagine an activity that will be in progress at a particular time.

The basic structure is easy:

will + be + verb-ing

Keep the central idea in mind:

Future → will
Continuous → be + verb-ing

At 8 p.m. tonight, I will be studying.

This time tomorrow, we will be travelling.

When you arrive, I will be waiting.

Don't just ask “What will happen?”

Ask yourself:
“What will be happening at that time?”

That simple question will help you recognise and use the Future Continuous Tense naturally.

➡ Next in the English Hub Tense Series:
Future Perfect Tense – Complete Rules, Uses, Examples and Exercises

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