Future continuous
Form
The future continuous is made up of two elements:
the simple future of the verb "to be" + the present participle (base+ing)
| Subject | +simple future of the verb "to be" | +present participle |
|---|---|---|
| You | will be | watching |
| I | will be | staying |
To stay, future continuous
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Negative interrogative |
|---|---|---|---|
| I will be staying. | I won't be staying. | Will I be staying? | Won't I be staying? |
| You will be staying. | You won't be staying. | Will you be staying? | Won't you be staying? |
| He will be staying. | He won't be staying. | Will he be staying? | Won't he be staying? |
| She will be staying. | She won't be staying. | Will she be staying? | Won't she be staying? |
| It will be staying. | It won't be staying. | Will it be staying? | Won't it be staying? |
| We will be staying. | We won't be staying. | Will we be staying? | Won't we be staying? |
| They will be staying. | They won't be staying. | Will they be staying? | Won't they be staying? |
Functions
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. The future continuous is used for quite a few different purposes.
The future continuous can be used to project ourselves into the future.
Examples
- This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
- By Christmas I will be skiing like a pro.
- Just think, next Monday you will be working in your new job.
The future continuous can be used for predicting or guessing about future events.
Examples
- He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
- I guess you'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
- You'll be missing the sunshine once you're back in England.
In the interrogative form, the future continuous can be used to ask politely for information about the future.
Examples
- Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
- Will Jim be coming with us?
- Will she be going to the party tonight?
- Will I be sleeping in this room?
The future continuous can be used to refer to continuous events that we expect to happen in the future.
Examples
- I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
- When he is in Australia he will be staying with friends.
- I'll be eating with Jane this evening so I can tell her.
When combined with still, the future continuous refers to events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue some time into the future.
Examples
- In an hour I'll still be ironing my clothes.
- Tomorrow he'll still be suffering from his cold.
- Next year will she still be wearing a size six?
- Won't stock prices still be falling in the morning?
- Unfortunately, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.