The Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous is used to express: 1. – an action in progress at a definite future moment, which can be indicated by the adverbial phrases of definite time such as at this time tomorrow (next week, next month, etc), at 9 o’clock on Monday, etc or be clear from the situation: Example: God knows what I’ll be saying in a minute. 2. – an action which the speaker expects to take place in the future in the natural course of events, or which will definitely happen in the future as the result of a routine: Example: I feel I’ll be asking you the same question tomorrow. I’ll be seeing Tom tomorrow. (because we work together) Note: 1) Will you be coming to the meeting tonight? (casual question about future event) Will you come to the meeting tonight? (request) 2) I’ll come and visit you tomorrow. (intention, promise) I’ll be coming to visit you tomorrow so I can bring the magazines then. (future activity in normal course of events) 3. – an action which is already planned or decided: Example: I shall be travelling by train. In many cases the Future Continuous can be replaced by the Present Continuous: Example: I am travelling by train. In both sentences there is a plain statement of future action. However, when a more distant or uncertain future is involved, the Future Continuous may be used instead of the Present Continuous. Example: He says he’ll be returning from abroad some time in the future. The use of the Present Continuous here requires a statement of a much less distant and uncertain arrangement or activity: Example: He says he’s returning from abroad next month. 4. – polite enquiry meaning ‘What have you already decided?’, giving the idea that we are not trying to influence people, but we want to know if our wishes fit in with their plans: Compare: Will you be staying in this evening? (just asking about plans) Are you going to stay in this evening? (perhaps pressing for a decision) Will you stay in this evening? (request or order)

Ex. 1

Read and translate the sentences. Comment on the use of the Future Continuous tense.

1. You’ll have to add another cup and saucer on the tray, Parky. A friend of Mrs. Keswick’s has just arrived. She’ll be having tea with us. 2. I’d better get you home, Theodora darling. Your aunt will be worrying and wondering where you are. 3. Goodbye. You won’t be seeing me for a long time. 4. – Why must I take a book and a packed lunch? – You’ll be sitting on the train for hours. 5. While you are slicing the cheese, I will be buttering the bread. 6. We’ll be arriving at Miami airport at exactly this time tomorrow morning. 7. Next Sunday, the Prime Minister will be celebrating ten years in power. 8. Whenever I think of you, I will be remembering the shadow of your smile. 9. And you, Edwin, will be doing me a great service if you get me the smelling salts from my bedroom. 10. Will you be wearing your new earrings tonight? 11. Mind, I shall be keeping a very careful eye on you from now on! 12. She’ll be soon coming round the mountains! (about the first train)

2. 1. You'll have to add another cup and saucer on the tray, Parky. A friend of Mrs. Keswick's has just arrived. She'll be having tea with us. 2. I'd better get you home, Theodora darling. Your aunt will be worrying and wondering where you are. 3. Goodbye. You won't be seeing me for a long time. 4. — Why must I take a book and a packed lunch? — You'll be sitting on the train for hours. 5. While you are slicing the cheese, I will be buttering the bread. 6. We'll be arriving at Miami airport at exactly this time tomorrow morning. 7. Next Sunday, the Prime Minister will be celebrating ten years in power. 8. Whenever I think of you, I will be remembering the shadow of your smile. 9. And you Edwin, will be doing me a great service if you get me the smelling salts from my bedroom. 10. Will you be wearing your new earrings tonight? 11. Mind, I shall be keeping a very careful eye on you from now on! 12. She'll be soon coming round the mountains! (about the first train). 13. In the next few minutes we shall be crossing the Belgian border.

Ex. 2

Make a new sentence to say what a person will be doing at a definite future moment.

Example: He’s sleeping now. (when I arrive tonight) – He will be sleeping when I arrive tonight.

1. Helen’s wearing a blue dress. (at the party tomorrow) 2. Steve’s lying in the sun. (while Terry’s working hard) 3. We’re having lunch. (at 1 o’clock) 4.The boys are playing basketball. (until 5 o’clock) 5. I’m writing letters. (all day tomorrow) 6. Jane and Kate are watching video. (until midnight) 7. They’re sitting an exam in German. (in mid-June) 8. We’re arriving at Paddington Station. (at 11 a.m.) 9. Uncle Dan is waiting at the airport to meet us. (when we come back in four weeks’ time) 10. George is analysing statistics on the department activities over the past quarter. (at midday tomorrow) 11. We’re discussing our mistakes in the final test. (all morning the day after tomorrow) 12. We’re developing the South Asia markets. (in a year’s time)

Ex. 3