B1daily

Future Continuous - Daily English

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The future continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a particular point in the future. You form it with "will be" plus the -ing form of the verb: "This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Berlin." Use it to set a scene at a future moment ("At 9 a.m. we'll be presenting to the board"), to talk about events you expect to happen as part of the normal course of things ("I'll be seeing Anna at the conference, so I'll pass it on"), and to make polite, unimposing enquiries ("Will you be using the meeting room this afternoon?"). This last use is common and useful in professional English because it sounds less direct than "Are you going to use the room?" Two correct examples to model: "Don't call at three; I'll be interviewing a candidate then." and "By the time you arrive, we'll be wrapping up the call." A common pitfall is confusing it with the future simple. "I'll send the report" is a decision or promise; "I'll be sending the report" frames it as something already in motion or expected to happen anyway. Another pitfall: avoid the future continuous with stative verbs such as "know", "believe" or "own" ("I'll know the results" is correct, not "I'll be knowing"). Finally, remember that the main verb takes the bare -ing form straight after "will be", with no "to": say "I'll be working", never "I'll be to working".

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. This time tomorrow, I (fly) to Paris for my vacation.
  2. Don't call her at 8 PM because she (watch) her favorite show.
  3. We (have) dinner with our grandparents this Sunday afternoon.
  4. They (stay) at a beautiful hotel by the beach next week.
  5. He (work) in the garden all morning tomorrow.
  6. At noon, you (sit) in your English class.
  7. Sarah (study) for her final exams throughout the weekend.
  8. The kids (play) soccer in the park at 4 PM.
  9. It (snow) in the mountains during our trip next month.
  10. My brother (drive) to London at this time tomorrow.
  11. We (not/use) the car this evening, so you can take it.
  12. Will you (wait) for me at the station when I arrive?
  13. Tom (cook) a special meal for his wife tonight.
  14. They (travel) through Europe all summer long.
  15. I (sleep) when you get home, so please be quiet.
  16. The chef (prepare) the dessert when the guests arrive.
  17. She (wear) a red dress at the party tomorrow night.
  18. My parents (relax) on the sofa this evening.
  19. We (not/attend) the meeting because we are sick.
  20. Will the sun (shine) when we reach the coast?
  21. Mark (clean) his room all afternoon.
  22. At midnight, most people (dream).
  23. You (feel) much better after a good night's sleep.
  24. The musicians (perform) on stage at 9 PM.
  25. I (think) of you while I am on my journey.

Common questions

What is the difference between the future continuous and the future simple (will)?

The future simple ('I'll call you') states a decision, promise or fact. The future continuous ('I'll be calling you') frames the action as already in progress or expected as part of the normal flow of events. Compare: 'I'll email the team' (a decision now) with 'I'll be emailing the team later anyway, so I'll add you' (something already planned).

When should I use the future continuous in business or professional English?

Use it to pin an action to a future moment ('At 10, I'll be chairing the standup'), to signal something is already planned ('I'll be visiting the Paris office next week'), and especially to make polite, non-pushy enquiries ('Will you be joining the call?'). This indirect form sounds more considerate than 'Are you going to join?', which is why it suits emails and meetings.

How do I form the future continuous, and which verbs should I avoid using with it?

Form it with 'will be' plus the -ing form: 'She will be working from home on Friday.' For questions, invert: 'Will they be attending?' For negatives, use 'won't be': 'I won't be travelling next month.' Avoid it with stative verbs that describe states, not actions, such as 'know', 'understand', 'own', 'want' and 'believe'. Say 'I'll know soon', not 'I'll be knowing'.