Future continuous
Describe actions in progress at a future time — This time tomorrow I’ll be flying — and ask polite questions about plans.
In this lesson you will
- Form the future continuous
- Talk about actions in progress at a future time
- Ask polite questions about someone’s plans
Learn
Form: will be + -ing: I’ll be working. She won’t be coming. Will you be using the car?
In progress at a future time: This time next week I’ll be lying on a beach. At 10 tomorrow I’ll be sitting an exam.
Polite questions about plans (less direct than a request): Will you be using the printer this afternoon? (= I’d like to use it.)
Future perfect (will have + participle) — completed before a future time: By June I’ll have finished the course.
Examples
- Don’t call at 8 — we’ll be having dinner.
- This time next month I’ll be living in Dublin.
- Will you be coming to the meeting on Friday?
- By 2030, I’ll have paid off my loan.
Vocabulary
this time next week
at this exact time, one week later
sit an exam
take an exam
pay off
finish paying a debt
by (June)
not later than
in progress
happening
Practice
Complete the sentence.
Speaking
Imagine your life in ten years: what will you be doing on a typical Monday morning? What will you have achieved by then?
Writing
Write a message explaining you’ll be busy next week and when you’ll be free (50–70 words).
Lesson quiz
This time next week we ___ in Rome.
Review
Key points
- will be + -ing = in progress at a future time.
- Polite questions: Will you be…?
- will have + participle = completed before a time.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use the future continuous.
- ✓ I can ask polite questions about plans.
- ✓ I can use the future perfect for deadlines.
Grammar reference: Future forms: will, going to, present continuous