Future Continuous Tense: Meaning, Definition, Formula, Structure, Rules, Uses and Examples
Last Updated : 05 Apr, 2024
A future continuous tense denotes the verb tense that depicts an activity that will take place at a later date in the future. It serves as the future equivalent of a present continuous tense, and it has an identical framework. The activity in the future continuous tense could have begun earlier than that point, however, it hasn't yet ended there. Whenever we employ the future continuous tense, our audience usually realizes the period we are referring over. Let us learn further about the Future Continuous Tense.
What is the Future Continuous Tense?
The future continuous tense expresses how an event or situation will occur in the future. This tense generally denotes how an upcoming act or condition will be continuous, which means that it is going to take place across time. The future continuous tense not just specifies whether a future action will happen or be finished, but in addition conveys how long the future activity will last. The future progressive tense is another name for it.
Future Continous Tense Definition
As to the Cambridge Dictionary, the future continuous tense is utilised to "refer to temporary actions and events that will be in progress at a particular time in the future." The future continuous tense is employed, according to the Collins Dictionary, "to suggest that something is about to happen or will happen at some time that is not clear or precise."
The formula of the future continuous tense is as follows:
| Subject + Helping verbs (will + be) + present participle form of the verb + the rest of the sentence |
Structure of the Future Continuous Tense
The structure of the future continuous tense for different kinds of sentences is listed below:
Affirmative
Subject + Will + Be + ing form of the verb + Object
Examples:
- The students will be having their lunch in the afternoon.
- She will be watching the movie at night.
- He will be cleaning the house tomorrow.
- They will be playing football in the morning.
- I will be coming to the party tonight.
Negative
Subject + Will + Not + Be + ing form of the verb + Object
Examples:
- They will not be coming to our house on Christmas.
- She will not be eating her dinner.
- I will not be sharing my notes with her.
- He will not be using his tablet.
- The president will not be flying to Lucknow.
Interrogative
Will + Subject + Be + ing form of the verb + Object + ?
Examples:
- Will he be coming to your school for the meeting?
- Will they be talking to you?
- Will she be speaking about the match?
- Will you be playing with your friends?
- Will she be traveling to Assam?
Wh-questions
Wh-word + Will + Subject + Be + ing form of the verb + Object + ?
Examples:
- When will you be returning to your home?
- Where will she be going in your holidays?
- Who will he be giving his books to?
- Where will they be staying in America?
- When will you be going shopping?
Negative Interrogative
Will + Subject + Not + Be + ing form of the verb + Object + ?
Examples:
- Will Anu not be participating in her school competition?
- Will you not be starting your business?
- Will he not be cleaning his room?
- Will she not be playing with us?
- Will they not be coming with us to the party?
Future Continuous Tense Rules
When using the future continuous tense, follow the rules.
- When constructing the statement in the future continuous tense, use 'will be'.
- Insert '-ing' after the primary verb.
- When writing the statement in a negative structure, the word 'not' will appear within the will and be.
Purpose of Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense can be used to:
- Indicate that a more prolonged future activity will be interrupted by a quicker future action.
- Explain a future action that will occur at a particular moment in time.
- Talk about a future action that is avoided by another action.
Future Continuous Tense Examples
- I will be singing at the concert.
- She will not be giving her exam tomorrow.
- You will be purchasing a new car.
- I won't be having dinner tonight.
- They will not be waiting for us in the meeting.
- Will he be coming with us for the trek?
- Will she be reading a new novel today?
- When will you be purchasing a new smartphone?
- She won't be going to the emirates tomorrow.
- I will be joining my office next month.
Future Continuous Tense Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the future continuous tense from the bracket.
- I __________ the letter tomorrow. (post)
- The teacher ________ the students with their questions. (help)
- _______ you _____ to Tosh this July? (go)
- My mother _________ to the temple today. (go- negative)
- My sister __________ to join me for dinner tonight. (come)
- _____ she _____ a haircut? (have)
- _____ he _________ dinner for himself? (cook- negative)
- _______ she _______ her clothes in the wardrobe? (arrange- negative)
- I _______ my meal later. (eat)
- When _____ she _______her school? (leave)
Answers:
- I will be posting the letter tomorrow.
- The teacher will be helping the students with their questions.
- Will you be going to Tosh this July?
- My mother will not be going to the temple today.
- My sister will be coming to join me for dinner tonight.
- Will she be having a haircut?
- Will he not be cooking dinner for himself?
- Will she not be arranging her clothes in the wardrobe?
- I will be eating my meal later.
- When will she be leaving her school?
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