FUTURE CONTINUOUS
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, 'to be' | base+ing |
---|---|---|
You | will be | watching |
Affirmative
I will be asking
Negative
She won't be leaving
Interrogative
Will they be retiring?
Interrogative negative
Won't we be staying?
Example: to stay, future continuous
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
---|---|---|
I will be staying | I won't be staying | Will I be staying? |
You will be staying | You won't be staying | Will you be staying? |
He, she, it will be staying | He won't be staying | Will she be staying? |
We will be staying | We won't be staying | Will we be staying? |
You will be staying | You won't be staying | Will you be staying? |
They will be staying | They won't be staying | Will they be staying? |
Future continuous, function
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. It is used:
- to project ourselves into the future and see something happening: This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
- to refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events: I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
- in the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an invitation: Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information) Will you come to the party? (= invitation)
- to predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future: You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.
More examples:
- events in progress in the future:
When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?
This time next week you will be working in your new job.
At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the contract. - events/actions in normal course of events:
I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you want from the shops?
Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.
I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message - asking for information:
Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
Will Jim be coming with us? - predicting or guessing:
You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
You'll be missing the sunshine now you're back in England.