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1 The Big Idea
A Photo of the Future
📘 Level 4 — Future Continuous — Lesson 1

Imagine a photo of a future time. What is happening in the photo? The action is already in progress. Use will be + the -ing form.

At 8 tomorrow, I will be watching a movie. (The movie is already on.)
When you arrive, she will be cooking. (She already started.)
(The action is in progress at that future time.)
Future SimpleFuture Continuous
At 8, I will watch a movie. (I start at 8.)At 8, I will be watching a movie. (It is already on.)
She will cook dinner. (She starts then.)She will be cooking dinner. (She is in the middle.)
An action in progress at a future time → will be + verb-ing.
It is the future version of the Present Continuous and the Past Continuous.
2 Form
Statements, Negatives, and Questions

Use will be with every subject. Then add the -ing form. The spelling of -ing is the same as in lesson 16.

Statement: subject + will be + verb-ing
Negative: subject + won’t be + verb-ing
Question: Will + subject + be + verb-ing?
Statements
  • I will be working at noon.
  • She’ll be sleeping when you call.
  • They will be traveling all day.
  • We’ll be driving at 8.
  • He will be waiting at the gate.
Negatives
  • I won’t be working tomorrow.
  • She won’t be sleeping yet.
  • They won’t be traveling on Monday.
  • We won’t be driving at night.
  • He won’t be waiting for us.
Questions
  • Will you be working late?
  • Will she be sleeping at 10?
  • What will you be doing at six?
  • Where will they be staying?
  • Who will be playing the music?
3 Time Words
Where Is the Photo?

A time word shows the future time of the photo. Look for it in the sentence.

  • At 8 p.m. tomorrow, I will be watching a movie.
  • This time next week, we will be sitting on a beach.
  • When you arrive, she will be cooking.
  • At noon, he will be driving to Chicago.
  • When the movie starts, I will be waiting for you.

The time word shows when. The action is already happening at that time.

4 Will or Will Be
One Action or an Action in Progress

Ask one question. Is the action already happening at that time?

Will + base verb (it starts)Will be + -ing (it is in progress)
At 8, I will watch a movie.At 8, I will be watching a movie.
When you arrive, she will cook dinner.When you arrive, she will be cooking dinner.
This time tomorrow, I will fly to Paris.This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris.
At noon, we will have lunch.At noon, we will be having lunch.
At 6, he will drive home.At 6, he will be driving home.

Left column: the action begins at that time. Right column: the action began earlier. At that time it is in the middle.

5 Common Mistakes
Watch Out For These
❌ Mistake 1 — Future Simple for an action in progress
✗ Don’t call at 8. I will watch a movie.
✗ This time tomorrow, I will sit on a beach.
✓ Don’t call at 8. I will be watching a movie.
✓ This time tomorrow, I will be sitting on a beach.
If the action is already happening at that time, use will be + -ing.
❌ Mistake 2 — Leaving out be
✗ At 8, I will watching TV.
✗ She will cooking dinner.
✓ At 8, I will be watching TV.
✓ She will be cooking dinner.
The form is will be + -ing. Do not forget be.
❌ Mistake 3 — Base verb after will be
✗ At noon, she will be eat lunch.
✗ They will be travel all day.
✓ At noon, she will be eating lunch.
✓ They will be traveling all day.
After will be, always use the -ing form.
❌ Mistake 4 — Wrong question form
✗ Will you working late?
✗ Do you will be sleeping at 10?
✓ Will you be working late?
✓ Will you be sleeping at 10?
Put will before the subject. Then add be and the -ing form.
6 Practice
Try It Yourself
Exercise A — Will or Will Be?

Read the situation. Click the form you need.

  • 1
    At 8 tomorrow, you are in the middle of a movie.
    ✓ Correct — The action is already happening at that time. Use will be + -ing.
  • 2
    You start your homework at 8 tomorrow.
    ✓ Correct — The action starts or happens once. Use will + base verb.
  • 3
    When she arrives, we are already eating.
    ✓ Correct — The action is already happening at that time. Use will be + -ing.
  • 4
    This time next week, you are on the beach.
    ✓ Correct — The action is already happening at that time. Use will be + -ing.
  • 5
    You send an email tomorrow morning.
    ✓ Correct — The action starts or happens once. Use will + base verb.
  • 6
    He buys a ticket tomorrow.
    ✓ Correct — The action starts or happens once. Use will + base verb.
  • 7
    At noon, the kids are in the middle of a game.
    ✓ Correct — The action is already happening at that time. Use will be + -ing.
  • 8
    The train arrives at 6.
    ✓ Correct — The action starts or happens once. Use will + base verb.
Exercise B — Complete the Sentence

Type the correct form of will be + -ing for the verb given.

  • 1
    At 8 p.m. tomorrow, I a movie. (watch)
  • 2
    This time next week, we on a beach. (sit)
  • 3
    When you arrive, she dinner. (cook)
  • 4
    At noon, he to Chicago. (drive)
  • 5
    Don’t call at 9. I . (sleep)
  • 6
    This time tomorrow, they to Paris. (fly)
  • 7
    At 3 p.m., the kids in the park. (play)
  • 8
    When you get home, I for the bus. (wait)
Exercise C — Make It Negative

Type the negative form with won’t be + -ing for the verb given.

  • 1
    At 8, I TV. I’ll be at the gym. (not watch)
  • 2
    Tomorrow at noon, she . She is on vacation. (not work)
  • 3
    This time next year, we here. (not live)
  • 4
    At 6, they dinner. They eat at 8. (not eat)
  • 5
    On Saturday, he a lot of money. (not spend)
  • 6
    At midnight, I . I will be awake. (not sleep)
  • 7
    At 9, the store anything. It closes at 8. (not sell)
  • 8
    Next week, she to work. She will fly. (not drive)
Exercise D — Write the Question

Type the missing words of speaker B’s question. Use the words given.

  • 1
    A: I’m busy tomorrow evening.
    B: What at 7? (you / do)
  • 2
    A: We fly to Rome tomorrow.
    B: all day? (you / travel)
  • 3
    A: Anna is home tonight.
    B: dinner at 7? (she / cook)
  • 4
    A: Tom has a big test at nine.
    B: Where at nine? (he / sit)
  • 5
    A: The kids are home on Saturday.
    B: What all day? (they / do)
  • 6
    A: I’ll be at the airport at noon.
    B: for your sister? (you / wait)
  • 7
    A: We have a party tonight.
    B: Who the music? (play)
  • 8
    A: Next week I’m on vacation.
    B: Where next week? (you / stay)
Exercise E — Choose the Form

Click the form that completes the sentence.

  • 1
    Don’t call at 8. I a movie.
    ✓ Correct — The movie is already on at 8. Use will be + -ing.
  • 2
    She dinner when you arrive.
    ✓ Correct — Do not forget be: will be + -ing.
  • 3
    At noon, they lunch.
    ✓ Correct — After will be, use the -ing form.
  • 4
    you be working tomorrow?
    ✓ Correct — Make the question with will. Put will before the subject.
  • 5
    This time tomorrow, I on a beach.
    ✓ Correct — You are already on the beach at that time. Use will be + -ing.
  • 6
    The movie at 8 sharp.
    ✓ Correct — The movie begins at 8. It is not in progress yet. Use will + base verb.
  • 7
    At 6, he at work. He is home by 5.
    ✓ Correct — Keep be in the negative: won’t be + -ing.
  • 8
    What at 7?
    ✓ Correct — In a question: will + subject + be + -ing.
7 Choose the Right Sentence
Apply What You Know

Read each question. Choose the sentence that matches.

Question 1 of 8
Which sentence shows an action in progress at a future time?
Question 2 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
Question 3 of 8
Select the correct negative.
Question 4 of 8
Select the correct question.
Question 5 of 8
A: “Can I call you at 8?” Select the best reply.
Question 6 of 8
Select the sentence that is incorrect.
Question 7 of 8
Which time phrase fits will be + -ing?
Question 8 of 8
Which sentence has one action that starts at 6?
8 Summary
Future Continuous: In Progress An action in progress at a future time uses will be + verb-ing.
  • Idea: imagine a photo of a future time. What is already happening?
  • Form: will be + verb-ing. Negative: won’t be + verb-ing.
  • Question: Will you be working? What will you be doing?
  • Time words: at 8 tomorrow, this time next week, when you arrive.
  • Will: the action starts then. Will be: it is already in progress.
  • Remember: always use be, and always use the -ing form.
← Previous lesson Going To vs. Will Next Over a Period of Time →