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)

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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.
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