Future Continuous Tense

We use the Future Continuous Tense to talk about a future event that will be in progress when another future event occurs. Both events are in the future.


             #--------------------#
             |                    |
<----now-----+-------------2nd----+------->
             | 	          event   |
             #--------------------#
             /
        1st event

I will be working when your plane arrives.

I start work at 6:00pm. The plane arrives at 7:00pm. I will be at work at 7:00pm. 1st event= I am working. 2nd event= your plane arrives.

He will be travelling when the election is held.

The election is next month. He starts travelling before the election.

We use the Future Continuous Tense for the event that starts first (1st). We use the Present Simple Tense for the second (2nd) event.

Making the Future Continuous Tense

+ I will be working when your plane arrives. s=‘I’ + will + be + ving=‘working’

- I won’t be working when your plane arrives. s=‘I’ + will + not + be + ving=‘working’

? Will I be working when your plane arrives? will + s=‘I’ + be + ving=‘working’

The short form of ‘will not’ is ‘won’t’.

‘be’ does not change with the subject in the Future Continuous Tense. We always use the base form of the verb with ‘will’.

Pronunciation

I will be working when your plane arrives.

I won’t be working when your plane arrives.

Will I be working when your plane arrives?