Future Continuous tense

1,800 fill-in-the-gap exercises across 4 forms

For something that will already be under way at a point in the future. Will be, then the -ing form.

This time tomorrow the future moment

we subject

will be will + be

flying verb + ing

Pick a form to practice

Positive Statements in Future Continuous Tense 450 sentences, 45 tests of ten Negative Statements in Future Continuous Tense 450 sentences, 45 tests of ten Questions in Future Continuous Tense 450 sentences, 45 tests of ten WH-Questions in Future Continuous Tense 450 sentences, 45 tests of ten

When you need it

In progress at a future moment. At noon tomorrow I will be sitting on a train.
Something already arranged, stated neutrally. I will be seeing her on Thursday anyway.
A polite enquiry about plans. Will you be using the car tonight?
Interrupted in the future. She will be sleeping when we arrive.

The tense needs a future moment to attach to. Without one — this time next week, at six, when you get there — the sentence feels incomplete.

Future Continuous or Future Simple

The difference is whether the action is a point or a stretch.

I will call you at six. — the call starts at six.
I will be calling you at six. — the call will already be happening at six.

There is a second, subtler use. Will be doing often reports a plan without any sense of decision or willingness, which makes it sound neutral and unpushy:

I will be going past the post office, so I can take it. — this is simply what is going to happen.

Compare I will go past the post office, which sounds like an offer made now.

The polite question

This is where the tense earns its keep in everyday English. Compare:

Will you help me? — a request. The other person has to decide.
Will you be helping us tomorrow? — an enquiry. You are asking about a fact, not asking for a favor.

The second form puts no pressure on anyone, which is why it is standard in offices and shops: Will you be paying by card?

State verbs stay simple

Know, understand, believe, want, like, own, belong do not take -ing:

By Friday we will know the result. — not will be knowing.

All forms

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
every subject	will be working	won't be working	Will you be working?

Mistakes to avoid

Wrong: At eight o'clock I will have dinner. correct: At eight o'clock I will be having dinner.

The dinner will already be under way at eight, so it takes the Continuous.

Wrong: She will be knowing by then. correct: She will know by then.

Know is a state verb and never takes -ing.

Wrong: I will be go to the office tomorrow. correct: I will be going to the office tomorrow.

After will be comes the -ing form.