future progressive
B1-B2Neutral (Used in both formal and informal contexts, more common in spoken English for polite questions.)
Definition
Meaning
A verb tense (aspect) formed with 'will be' + present participle (V-ing), used to describe an ongoing action that will be happening at a specific point or over a period in the future.
Also called the future continuous. It can express a predicted ongoing future event, a polite inquiry about someone's plans, or a future event that is part of a fixed schedule. It often implies that the future action is temporary, pre-planned, or will be in progress at a specific future time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Emphasises the action's duration or temporary nature in the future. Often used to contrast with simple future for events seen as fixed, or to make questions about plans less direct. Can convey a sense of inevitability about an ongoing future situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in grammatical function and meaning. 'Shall' (though less common now) is still marginally more possible in formal British English in first-person questions (e.g., 'Shall I be disturbing you?'). 'Future progressive' and 'future continuous' are both used as names for the tense, with 'continuous' being somewhat more common in UK pedagogical materials.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + will + be + present participle (V-ing) + [optional object/complement/adverbial].Will + [subject] + be + present participle (V-ing) + ...? (for questions).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No specific idioms use this tense exclusively, but it appears in many idiomatic future expressions.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"I'll be attending the conference all next week, so please email any urgent requests." Used to communicate schedules and availability.
Academic
"At this time next year, the research team will be analysing the longitudinal data." Used to describe ongoing future research phases.
Everyday
"Don't call at seven; I'll be cooking dinner then." Used to explain unavailability or predictable routines.
Technical
In grammar instruction, the term itself is used: "The future progressive is formed with 'will be' + V-ing."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This time next week, I'll be holidaying in Cornwall.
- Will you be using the car this evening? I need to pop to the shops.
American English
- This time next week, I'll be vacationing in Florida.
- Will you be using the car tonight? I need to run to the store.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable; 'future progressive' is a noun phrase describing a tense.)
American English
- (Not applicable; 'future progressive' is a noun phrase describing a tense.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable; 'future progressive' is a noun phrase describing a tense.)
American English
- (Not applicable; 'future progressive' is a noun phrase describing a tense.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I will be sleeping at 10 o'clock.
- She will be playing football tomorrow.
- Don't phone me at 8 pm – I'll be watching my favourite programme.
- At this time next month, we'll be travelling through Italy.
- I'll be waiting for you at the station when your train arrives.
- They said they'll be reviewing all applications throughout next week.
- Given the current economic trends, unemployment will likely be rising for the next two quarters.
- He realised that in six months' time, he would be presiding over the merger negotiations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PROGRESS bar loading in the FUTURE. It shows an action 'in progress' later on: FUTURE + IN PROGRESS = FUTURE PROGRESSIVE.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PATH (ON WHICH WE MOVE); the action is pictured as a segment of that path we will be traversing over a duration. The future is a moving camera focused on an ongoing scene.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian often uses the simple future (буду + infinitive) where English requires the progressive for ongoing actions. E.g., "В это время завтра я буду лететь в Лондон" must be "This time tomorrow I will be flying to London," not *"...I will fly."
- The tense is not used with stative verbs (e.g., *will be knowing, *will be believing) unless they are used dynamically.
- Confusion with the structure 'to be going to + verb,' which is for intention/plan, not necessarily for an action in progress at a specific time.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting 'be': *I will working tomorrow. (Correct: I will be working tomorrow.)
- Using the base verb instead of -ing: *I will be work tomorrow.
- Overusing it for simple future facts/predictions: *The sun will be rising at 6:00 am. (Simple fact: The sun will rise at 6:00 am.)
- Using it with non-progressive verbs: *I will be having a car. (I will have a car.)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence correctly uses the future progressive?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'I will work' (simple future) states a future fact or decision. 'I will be working' (future progressive) emphasizes that the action will be in progress at a specific future time, often implying it's already planned or will be ongoing.
Yes, especially to ask about or state plans in a polite or non-imposing way (e.g., 'Will you be coming to the party?'). However, for firm intentions made before speaking, 'be going to' is more common.
It's very rare. The standard auxiliary for all persons is 'will'. 'Shall' might appear in extremely formal British English (e.g., 'We shall be awaiting your response'), but 'will' is universally acceptable.
No. Stative verbs (like 'know', 'believe', 'own', 'like') are generally not used in progressive forms, including the future progressive. It is used with action verbs.