Future Continuous Tense Examples and Common Mistakes Explained
The future continuous tense is commonly used in school assignments, grammar exams, and in daily spoken and written English. Mastering this tense helps students clearly describe future plans or ongoing actions, making your communication precise and confident in academic and real-world situations.
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + will/shall be + verb-ing + rest | She will be studying at 8pm. |
| Negative | Subject + will/shall not be + verb-ing + rest | We will not be attending school tomorrow. |
| Interrogative | Will/shall + subject + be + verb-ing + rest? | Will you be coming home early? |
| Negative Interrogative | Will/shall + subject + not + be + verb-ing + rest? | Will she not be joining the call? |
What Is the Future Continuous Tense?
The future continuous tense describes actions that will be ongoing at a fixed moment in the future. It tells us about something already planned or certain, and shows that the action will be in progress when another event happens or at a particular time.
Future Continuous Tense Formula
To form the future continuous tense, use: subject + will/shall + be + verb-ing. The tense can be used for all subjects, and “will” is now common with all pronouns.
- I will be working on my project at 7pm.
- They will be playing football this afternoon.
- Will you be helping with the event?
How to Use the Future Continuous Tense
Use the future continuous tense to mention:
- A planned activity that will be in progress at a set time in the future.
- A longer action interrupted by a shorter future event.
- Parallel actions happening in the future.
Common time expressions: at this time tomorrow, next week, when you arrive, in the evening.
Examples of Future Continuous Tense
- At 6 o’clock, we will be eating dinner.
- This time next week, I will be traveling to Delhi.
- Will they be using the classroom at noon?
- He will not be attending classes tomorrow.
- While I will be studying, my friend will be cooking.
Future Continuous vs Other Future Tenses
| Tense | Structure | Example | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Future | will + verb | She will attend the meeting. | Action will happen once in the future. |
| Future Continuous | will be + verb-ing | She will be attending the meeting at 5pm. | Action will be in progress at a specific time in the future. |
| Future Perfect Continuous | will have been + verb-ing | She will have been working for 3 hours by 6pm. | Action started earlier, continues up to a point in the future. |
For a deeper look at related tenses, visit our complete tenses guide and Future Perfect Continuous Tense page.
Practice Exercises: Test Your Knowledge
- By this time tomorrow, I _______ (present) my project.
- They _______ (travel) to Mumbai next week.
- Will you _______ (study) for your exams tonight?
- I _______ not _______ (join) practice after school.
Check your answers: will be presenting, will be traveling, be studying, will not be joining.
Understanding the future continuous tense helps students describe ongoing actions, future plans, and compare tenses clearly. Vedantu presents these rules in easy language so school, college, or exam preparation becomes stress-free. Use this page as your quick reference for classroom and daily English needs.
FAQs on Future Continuous Tense Explained with Formula & Examples
1. What is the future continuous tense in English?
The future continuous tense, also known as the future progressive tense, describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. It indicates an ongoing activity, not a completed one. For example: "I will be working on my project at 3 PM tomorrow."
2. What is the formula for the future continuous tense?
The basic formula is: Subject + will/shall + be + present participle (verb + -ing) + rest of the sentence. For example: "They will be playing football later."
3. How do you form negative sentences in the future continuous tense?
To create a negative sentence, place "not" after "will" or "shall." You can also use the contraction "won't." For example: "She will not be attending the meeting." or "He won't be sleeping then."
4. How do you ask questions in the future continuous tense?
Begin the question with "Will" or "Shall," followed by the subject, "be," the present participle, and the rest of the sentence. For example: "Will you be going to the party?"
5. What are some common mistakes to avoid with the future continuous tense?
Common mistakes include using it with stative verbs (verbs of being, thinking, feeling, etc.), incorrectly forming the present participle, and confusing it with other future tenses. Always ensure the verb is in the correct -ing form.
6. What is the difference between the future continuous and the simple future tense?
The future continuous highlights an action in progress at a specific future time. The simple future (will/shall + base verb) focuses on a completed action or event in the future. For instance: "I will be driving to the airport." (ongoing action) vs. "I will arrive at the airport at 2 PM." (completed action).
7. Can the future continuous tense be used for planned events?
Yes, it's frequently used to discuss planned future events. For example: "We will be celebrating our anniversary next week."
8. How is the future continuous tense used to make predictions?
It can be used to make predictions about ongoing actions in the future. For example: "By this time tomorrow, they will be finishing the exam."
9. Can the future continuous tense describe multiple simultaneous actions?
Yes. You can use it to show multiple actions happening concurrently. Example: "While I will be cooking, he will be setting the table."
10. What are some time expressions often used with the future continuous tense?
Common time expressions include: at this time tomorrow, at 3 PM on Tuesday, next week, this time next year, all day long, from 9 to 5, etc.
11. How does the future continuous tense differ from the future perfect continuous tense?
The future continuous focuses on an action in progress at a specific future time. The future perfect continuous (will have been + verb-ing) emphasizes the duration of an action leading up to a specific point in the future. For example: "I will be working on it tomorrow." vs. "By tomorrow, I will have been working on it for three days."
12. What is the difference between 'will' and 'shall' in the future continuous tense?
The difference between 'will' and 'shall' in the future continuous is largely a matter of style and formality. 'Will' is generally preferred and more common in modern English. 'Shall' is now mainly used in formal contexts or with first-person plural subjects (we) to express suggestions or offers. The choice doesn't significantly change the meaning in this tense.
