Future continuous: An activity in progress at a future time

The future continuous uses will be + -ing to show that an activity will be in progress at a particular future time. It often presents the activity as part of an expected schedule or course of events.

Examples

This time tomorrow, we will be flying to Athens.

The flight will be in progress at the stated future time.
At eight, Mina will be giving her presentation.

The sentence looks at an ongoing activity from a future viewpoint.
They won't be using the office next week.

The negative states that the activity will not be in progress during that period.

Future continuous vs. future with will

Future with will

I will call Sam at six.

The sentence presents the call as a future action or decision.

Future continuous

I will be talking to Sam at six.

The conversation is expected to be in progress at six.

Will + base verb presents a future event. Will be + -ing places the viewpoint inside an activity that will be underway.

It can make questions less direct

The future continuous is also common when asking neutrally about another person’s plans. It can sound less like a request or an attempt to influence the answer.

Will you be staying for dinner?

The question asks about an expected plan rather than directly inviting or pressuring.
Will you be using the car this afternoon?

The speaker asks about the other person’s schedule before making a decision.

Common mistakes

I will be work at nine.

I will be working at nine.

After will be, use the -ing form.

She will working at home.

She will be working at home.

The auxiliary be is required between will and the -ing form.

Quick check

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence describes an activity in progress at a future time?

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Definition