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Future continuous

 
 
 
 

Form

subject + will + be + verb-ing
 

Actions and events in progress or incomplete at a specific time in the future

The future continuous can refer to actions that will be in progress at some specific time in the future - actions that have already started but have not yet be finished.
 
Don't call at 9 o'clock as we'll be having dinner.
I will start dinner before nine and finish dinner after nine.
 
This time next week* I'll be sitting on the beach.
I will start sitting on the beach before two o'clock and finish sitting on the beach after two o'clock.

*This time next week means the same time next week as it is now. If today is Thursday and it is two o'clock now, then we mean two o'clock next Thursday.
 

Future actions that continue over a period of time

The future continuous can emphasize that a future action will continue over a period of time.
 
We'll be working on the cover design next week.
In this course we'll be looking at some more advanced grammar points.
I'll be working late every night next week.
 
All of these actions will happen more than once over the period of time mentioned.
Why not use be going to
In all of these examples, you could also use be+going to. However, the future continuous shifts the emphasis to the continuation of the action over the time periods mentioned, while be going to emphasizes an intention.
 

Future events that will normally happen within a future time period

The future continuous can be used to refer to an action or event that will normally happen within a time period in the future.
 
I'll be seeing Peter some time tomorrow.
We'll be discussing the sales figures in the monthly meeting.
 
You could also usebe going to in these examples, but this would change the emphasis to intention.
 

Making polite enquiries about future intentions

When we ask questions about people's future intentions, the future continuous is less direct than other future forms.
 
Compare the following:
 
Are you coming to the meeting?
Will you be coming to the meeting?

The first sounds more direct, perhaps because it uses fewer words.
 
Such forms are common in a service setting such as a hotel.
 
Receptionist: Will you be having breakfast?
 
ESL quizzes for future continuous
quiz


Comparison with <i>as</i>...</i>as...</as>