by Yogi P - September 30, 2023

Future Continuous Tense: Definition, Structure, and Examples

After mastering the simple future tense, it’s time to advance to the future continuous tense. This guide will walk you through the essence, definition, formula, structure, rules, and applications of this tense. Review the examples and engage with practice questions to enhance your grasp on the future continuous tense.

What is the Future Continuous Tense?

The future continuous tense is primarily used to describe an ongoing action that will occur at a specific future time. Also known as the future progressive tense, it indicates a continuous or progressing action or event at a future moment.

Examine various dictionary definitions to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the future continuous tense.

Defining the Future Continuous Tense

The Cambridge Dictionary describes the future continuous tense as a tense employed to “indicate temporary actions and events in progress at a certain future time.” The Collins Dictionary states it’s used “to hint at an upcoming event at an unspecified, unclear time.”

Exploring the Structure and Formula

To grasp the future continuous tense more intricately, inspect its formula and structure.

Formula: Subject + Helping verbs (will + be) + present participle form of the verb + remaining sentence

Structure of Future Continuous Tense:

Examples:

1. Balu will be performing at the International event in Australia.
2. Balu will not be (or won’t be) performing at the International event in Australia.
3. Will Balu be performing at the International event in Australia?
4. Will Balu not be (or won’t Balu be) performing at the International event in Australia?

Guidelines for Using the Future Continuous Tense

Similar to other continuous tenses, the future continuous tense involves two auxiliary verbs – ‘will’ and ‘be,’ followed by the main verb in its present participle form. To form negative sentences, add ‘not’ after ‘will.’ Interrogative sentences commence with ‘will.’

Remember, the future continuous tense pairs only with action verbs, as it represents an action extending over a duration. The action initiated earlier will not complete at the mentioned future time.

Applications of Future Continuous Tense

Utilize the future continuous tense to:

1. Indicate a future action occurring at a specific time.
2. Express a prolonged action not concluding instantly.
3. Compare present and future events.
4. Highlight simultaneous future actions.

Examples:

Expressing Future Actions:

1. I will be watching the new Marvel movie with my brother at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.
2. Susan will not be sleeping at that time.

Signifying Extended Actions:

1. The judges will be announcing the competition winners at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
2. According to the plan, we will be meeting at the park around 11 a.m.

Comparing Times:

1. This time next month, we will be traveling to Canada.
2. Though hesitant now, he will certainly be living well in the future.

Denoting Simultaneous Actions:

1. I will be going to school at 8 a.m., so I can drop her off as well.
2. Sheena will be traveling to Bangalore, hence her unavailability for the reception tomorrow.

Additional Examples:

1. I will be writing the letter tomorrow.
2. Sheldon will be eating the cake later.
3. Will you be doing laundry tonight?
4. My parents will be flying to Delhi tomorrow.
5. I will not be working tomorrow.

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FAQs on Future Continuous Tense

Q1: What is the future continuous tense?

The future continuous tense expresses actions or events that will be ongoing at a specific future time. It is also known as the future progressive tense, highlighting actions in progression or continuation in the future.

Q2: Define future continuous tense?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the future continuous tense is used to describe temporary actions and events in progress at a specific time in the future. The Collins Dictionary states it is used to indicate an imminent event or one that will occur at an uncertain future time.

Q3: What is the structure for the future continuous tense?

The structure is: Subject + Helping verbs (will + be) + present participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence.

Q4: When to use future continuous tense?

It is utilized to show a future action at a specific time, express an action occurring over a period in the future, make comparisons between the present and the future, and indicate simultaneous future actions.

Examples include “I will be watching the movie tomorrow evening.” and “She will not be attending the meeting next week.”

Q6: How future continuous tense is different from the simple future tense?

While the simple future tense describes actions that will happen in the future, the future continuous tense emphasizes actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Q7: Can the future continuous tense be used with stative verbs?

No, the future continuous tense is generally used only with action verbs as it denotes ongoing actions in the future.

Q8: How do you form negative sentences in the future continuous tense?

For negative sentences, use the structure: Subject + will not be/won’t be + present participle of the verb + rest of the sentence. For example, “She will not be coming to the party.”

Q9: How do you frame questions in the future continuous tense?

Start the question with “Will,” followed by the subject, “be,” and the present participle of the verb. For example, “Will you be joining us for dinner?”

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MCQs on Future Continuous Tense

Q1. What does the future continuous tense talk about?

a) Something completed
b) Something happening in the future
c) Something happening right now
d) Something that happened before

Answer: b) Something happening in the future

Q2. What is another name for the future continuous tense?

a) Past running tense
b) Future perfect tense
c) Future progressive tense
d) Now tense

Answer: c) Future progressive tense

Q3. How do you make a sentence in the future continuous tense?

a) Subject + will + verb
b) Subject + will be + verb+ing (like playing, running)
c) Subject + is + verb
d) Subject + will have + verb+ed

Answer: b) Subject + will be + verb+ing (like playing, running)

Q4. How can you make a sentence negative in future continuous tense?

a) Put ‘not’ after ‘will’
b) Put ‘not’ after ‘be’
c) Put ‘not’ before ‘will’
d) None of the above

Answer: a) Put ‘not’ after ‘will’

Q5. Choose the correct future continuous sentence:

a) She will read a book.
b) He will be running tomorrow.
c) They will played the game.
d) We will eats dinner.

Answer: b) He will be running tomorrow.

6. Which words do you mostly use in future continuous tense?

a) is, am
b) was, were
c) will, be
d) has, have

Answer: c) will, be

Q7. Can we use future continuous tense with words like ‘love’ or ‘know’?

a) Yes
b) No

Answer: b) No

Q8. Which sentence is in the future continuous tense?

a) She will finish her homework.
b) He is eating.
c) They will be traveling next month.
d) We had studied.

Answer: c) They will be traveling next month.

Q9. How do you ask a question in future continuous tense?

a) Start with ‘Do’ or ‘Does’
b) Start with ‘Will’
c) Start with ‘Are’ or ‘Is’
d) Start with ‘Have’ or ‘Has’

Answer: b) Start with ‘Will’

Q10. Can the future continuous tense talk about many things happening at the same future time?

a) Yes
b) No

Answer: a) Yes

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Fill in the Blanks:

1. They __________ (be) playing football in the park at 5 o’clock tomorrow.

2. At this time next week, I __________ (be) sitting on the beach.

3. She __________ (not be) watching the movie tonight.

4. __________ you __________ (be) attending the meeting tomorrow?

5. He __________ (be) reading the book all evening.

6. We __________ (be) driving all night, so we won’t get much sleep.

7. This time next month, they __________ (be) exploring Paris.

8. The kids __________ (not be) sleeping at 10 PM tonight.

9. __________ they __________ (be) performing in the concert next Sunday?

10. I’m sure she __________ (be) working at the office at this time tomorrow.

Answers: 1. will be, 2. will be, 3. will not be / won’t be, 4. Will, be, 5. will be, 6. will be, 7. will be, 8. will not be / won’t be, 9. Will, be , 10. will be