Future Continuous

B1 · IntermediateFuture Forms

The future continuous lets you picture yourself in the middle of doing something at a specific moment that hasn't happened yet.

What you'll learn

  • Formed with will be + verb-ing (I'll be working, she'll be traveling)
  • Describes an action in progress at a specific future time
  • Often used with 'this time' + a future time expression
  • Also used for polite, matter-of-fact future routines

In progress at a future moment

The future continuous describes an action that will already be happening at a specific point in the future — you're picturing the middle of the action, not its start or end.

"This time tomorrow, I'll be flying to Paris."
"At 9am, she'll be teaching her class."

The 'this time' pattern

A very common pattern pairs the future continuous with this time + a future time expression, picturing exactly what will be happening at that moment.

"This time next week, we'll be relaxing on the beach."
"This time next month, we'll be sailing across the Atlantic."

A polite, matter-of-fact future

The future continuous can also describe a routine or already-arranged future action in a soft, matter-of-fact way, without sounding like a request or a big decision.

"I'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow, so I'll ask her."
"I'll be passing your office later — I can drop it off then."

Real English

"Don't call at 8 — I'll be having dinner then."
"This time next year, she'll be studying abroad."
"What will you be doing when I arrive?"
"We'll be traveling all day on Saturday, so we won't be reachable."

Watch out

✗This time tomorrow, I'll flying to Paris.
✓This time tomorrow, I'll be flying to Paris.

Don't drop be — the future continuous needs will be, not just will, before the -ing form.

✗At 9am, she'll be teach her class.
✓At 9am, she'll be teaching her class.

After will be, use the -ing form of the verb, not the base form.

✗Don't call at 8 — I'll have dinner.
✓Don't call at 8 — I'll be having dinner.

This describes an action in progress at that moment, so the continuous form is needed, not the simple will + base verb.

Real life — Coordinating a visit

"What time should I arrive tomorrow?"

"Come around six — I'll be finishing work around then."

"Should I bring anything?"

"No need, I'll be picking up dinner on the way home."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — an action in progress at a specific future time.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct negative

Choose the correct negative.

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct question

Choose the correct question.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct answer

Which best describes the future continuous?

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence for a polite, matter-of-fact future routine.

Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence

Complete: 'This time next week, we ___ (relax) on the beach.' (future continuous)

Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence

Complete: 'At noon tomorrow, I ___ (not/work) — it's a holiday.' (negative, future continuous)

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

will be sleeping
will sleep
will be working
will work
will be traveling
will travel

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • Future continuous is formed with will be + verb-ing.
  • It describes an action in progress at a specific future point.
  • It's often used with 'this time' + a future time expression.
  • It can also describe a routine future action in a polite, matter-of-fact way.

Related grammar lessons

Upper IntermediateFuture Forms

Future Perfect

Learn how to form and use the future perfect (will have + past participle) for an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

ElementaryFuture Forms

Present Simple for Schedules

Learn how the present simple, normally used for facts and habits, is also the natural tense for official, fixed timetables — trains, flights, opening hours, and terms.

Upper IntermediateFuture Forms

Future in the Past

Learn how to talk about a plan, expectation, or prediction that existed at a point in the past, using was/were going to and would.

ElementaryFuture Forms

Present Continuous for Future Arrangements

Learn how the present continuous, the same form used for actions happening right now, is also used for fixed personal arrangements in the future.

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