Future Continuous Tense

Topic: Tense β€’ Subject: Primary English (age 11, Kenya) πŸ“š

What is the Future Continuous tense?

The future continuous (also called future progressive) describes an action that will be happening at a certain time in the future. Example: "At 5 pm tomorrow, I will be doing my homework." ⏳

Form (How to make it)

Use: will + be + verb‑ing

Affirmative

She will be studying. β†’ She'll be studying.

Negative

He will not be playing. β†’ He won't be playing.

Question

Will they be coming to school? β†’ Yes/No questions

Uses (When to use it)
  • To show an action that will be in progress at a specific future time. (e.g., "At 9pm, I will be sleeping.")
  • To say two future actions happening at the same time. ("While Mum is cooking, I will be doing chores.")
  • To politely ask about someone’s plans. ("Will you be using the book later?")
  • To describe a future action that will be interrupted. ("I will be studying when you arrive.")
Common time words

at 6 pm, tomorrow, next week, this time tomorrow, tonight, while, when

Examples (Kenyan context)
  • "At 3 o'clock tomorrow, I will be doing my homework." πŸŽ’
  • "They will be planting maize next week." 🌽
  • "We will be watching the football match on TV tonight." ⚽
  • "She will be travelling to Kisumu this time next month." 🚌
  • "Will you be attending the parents' meeting tomorrow?" βœ…
Short answers

Q: "Will you be studying?" β€” A: "Yes, I will." / "No, I won't."

Spelling of verb + -ing (simple rules)
  • If a verb ends in e, drop the e and add -ing: make β†’ making (make + ing = making).
  • If a verb is short (one syllable) and ends vowel + consonant, double the final consonant: stop β†’ stopping.
  • Most verbs just add -ing: play β†’ playing; eat β†’ eating.
Tips for learners

Say: "will be" + action with -ing. Try to picture the moment in the future. Example: Picture 5 pm tomorrow β€” what will you be doing?

Practice β€” Change each to the future continuous
  1. She (cook) the dinner at 7 pm tomorrow.
  2. I (do) my homework at 8 o'clock tonight.
  3. They (play) football this time next week.
  4. We (travel) to Mombasa on Saturday morning.
  5. He (sleep) when you arrive.
  6. Mother (wash) the clothes at noon tomorrow.
Answers (click to view)
  1. She will be cooking the dinner at 7 pm tomorrow.
  2. I will be doing my homework at 8 o'clock tonight.
  3. They will be playing football this time next week.
  4. We will be travelling to Mombasa on Saturday morning.
  5. He will be sleeping when you arrive.
  6. Mother will be washing the clothes at noon tomorrow.
Final note: Use the future continuous to show actions that will be in progress at a particular time in the future. Practice by thinking about "what I will be doing at this time tomorrow" β€” then write sentences. ✍️

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