FUTURE CONTINUOUS

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:

a. to project ourselves into the future and see something happening: This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.

b. to refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events: I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.

c. 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)

d. 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:

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. asking for information:
Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
Will Jim be coming with us?

d. 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.