Future Continuous

The Future Continuous Tense is used:

to talk about an action which will be in progress at some time in the future

Don't phone me at 8.00. I'll be doing my homework then.

to talk about an activity or state that covers the whole of a future time period

I'll be watching television all evening.

to talk about things in the future which are already planned, or which are part of a regular routine

- Shall I give Jim a message for you ?

- Oh, I don't want to trouble you.

- It's no trouble, really. I'll be seeing Jim tomorrow anyway.

to ask in a polite way about someone's plans, especially when we want someone to do something for us

- Will you be going out this morning?

- Yes, why?

- Oh, could you get me a newspaper?

Verbs normally not used in the Continuous

a) verbs of thinking

think (= believe)	believe	suppose	remember
see (= understand)	recognize	mean	realize
imagine	forget	know	understand

I won't forget my stay in the United States of America.

(Not: I won't be forgetting...)

b) verbs of feeling

like

dislike

hate

love

prefer

want

wish

Jane is a very nice girl. I think you'll like her very much. (Not: You'll be liking...)

c) sense verbs

see

look

smell

taste

feel

Don't put on this dress. You'll look funny in it. (Not: You'll be looking...)

d) other verbs

have (= possess)		own	belong (to)	hear	be	need
include	owe	cost	contain	weigh	sound	seem

She'll need a lot of knowledge to do the job. (Not: She'll be needing...)

Positive form

will be + Present Participle (verb + -ing)

I	will (‘ll) be working tomorrow.
You
He/She/It
We
You
They

NOTE:

a) will is used with all persons (I, you, he, they, etc.);

b) shall is used instead of will with I or we, but in everyday speech, will is more common;

c) in spoken English 'll is used with subject pronouns.

I'll be seeing Helen next week. Paul will be waiting for you outside.

Exercise 16. Put the verbs in brackets into the Future Continuous Tense. Use contractions ('II) where possible.

Example: I (have) dinner at 7.00. - I'll be having dinner at 7.00.

1. They (arrive) in time for lunch.

2. We (stay) in Newcastle for about a couple of weeks.

3. I (travel) all over the country with Adrian, one of my closest friends.

4. At 2.00 tomorrow she (work) in the office.

5. My father (watch) football at 8 o'clock.

6. Peter and Sam (have) a good time on their holiday in Turkey.

Negative form

will not (won't) be + Present Participle (verb + -ing)

I	will not (won't) be doing anything special at this time tomorrow.
You
He/She/It
We
You
They

NOTE:

a) will not (won't) is used with all persons (I, you, we, they, etc.);

b) shall not (shan't) is used instead of will not (won't) with I or we, but in everyday speech, will not (won't) is more common.

Exercise 17. Complete the sentences with the negative form of the verbs in brackets.

Example: Next year they (live) in Spain. - Next year they won't be living in Spain.

1. The children (stay) with their grandparents for the summer holidays.

2. At four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon you (fly) over Paris.

3. We (watch) the tennis tournament tonight.

4. I (work) at home tomorrow - don't call me there.

5. Chris (play) golf at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

Exercise 18. What will/won't be happening at this time tomorrow? Write true sentences, positive or negative.

Example: I/walk in New York. - I won't be walking in New York.

I/talk with some of my friends. - I'll be talking with some of my friends.

1. My parents/fly over the Atlantic.

2. It/snow all day long.

3. People/work in their offices and at home.

4. I/lie on a beautiful beach.

5. I/play computer games.

6. My friend and I/have lunch.