See it in action
Level A2Read or listen first. Don’t worry about the rules yet — just notice the verbs in bold.
A busy day tomorrow
Mia: Can we talk tomorrow at ten?
Leo: Sorry, at ten I’ll be driving to the airport.
Mia: What about two o’clock?
Leo: I’ll be sitting on a plane! I’ll be flying to Berlin all afternoon.
Mia: OK. Will you be working in the evening?
Leo: No, I’ll be having dinner with my sister. Let’s talk on Friday!
Quick check
What do all the verbs in bold have in common?
will be + -ing is the future continuous: I’ll be driving, I’ll be flying.
Quick check
At ten tomorrow, will Leo’s drive to the airport be over?
The future continuous shows an action in progress at a moment in the future.
When to use it
Level A2–B11. An action in progress at a moment in the future
At eight tonight, we’ll be having dinner with my parents.
In two hours, she’ll be flying to Rome.
2. An activity that will be going on when something else happens
I’ll be cooking when you arrive.
3. Asking politely about plans
Will you be using the car tonight? I need to go to the shops.It doesn’t ask the person to do anything.
4. Things that will happen anyway
Use it for something that is part of the normal plan or routine — you didn’t decide it specially. It often helps someone: I’ll be passing the shop, so…
I’ll be seeing Tom at work tomorrow, so I can give him the message.
I’ll be driving past your house anyway, so I can pick you up.
Quick check
“Will you be using the car tonight?” What is the speaker doing?
It’s a polite question about your plans — it doesn’t ask you to do anything.
Form: will be + -ing
Level A2The form is the same for every subject.
| All subjects | |
|---|---|
| Positive | she will be working (she’ll be) |
| Negative | she won’t be working (will not be) |
| Question | Will she be working…? |
| Short answer | Yes, she will. / No, she won’t. |
This time tomorrow, I’ll be lying on a beach.
Will you be working at eight tonight?
Quick check
Which sentence is correct?
You need all three parts: will + be + -ing.
when + present simple
Level A2–B1After when, before, after, as soon as and until, use the present simple for the future.
The future continuous is the longer activity; the time clause is the moment or the event. until means “up to that moment, then it stops”.
She’ll be sleeping when you get home.
Wrong: She’ll be sleeping when you will get home.She’ll be sleeping when you get home.
I’ll be waiting at the station until the taxi comes.Waiting up to that moment.
As soon as the guests leave, we’ll be tidying up.Time clause first? Put a comma after it.
Quick check
I’ll be waiting outside when your train ___.
After when, talk about the future with the present simple: when your train arrives.
will do or will be doing?
Level B1Use will be + -ing for something in progress at a future moment; use will + verb for decisions, offers and promises made now.
This time next week, we’ll be skiing in the Alps.In progress at that moment.
The phone’s ringing. — I’ll get it.A decision made now: not “I’ll be getting it”.
When you get home, I’ll still be working.Still: it started before and hasn’t finished.
This box is heavy. Will you help me carry it?A request made now: will + verb, not “Will you be helping…?”
Quick check
The doorbell rings and you decide to open the door. You say:
A decision made at the moment of speaking takes will + verb.
State verbs
Level B1State verbs (know, want, need, understand, own, belong, believe…) stay in the simple future.
Wrong: After the course, you’ll be knowing all the rules.After the course, you’ll know all the rules.
Quick check
Don’t worry — by tomorrow, you ___ the answer.
know is a state verb, so it isn’t used with -ing: you’ll know.
Advanced uses
Level B2–C2Once the basics feel easy, these uses help you make guesses, sound polite and understand formal announcements.
Show the advanced uses
Guesses about now
will be + -ing can be about the present: a confident guess about what someone is doing right now, based on what you know (the time, their plans). Words like now, about now, I expect, I bet, I’m sure often go with it.
It’s midnight. Don’t call her now — she’ll be sleeping.I’m sure she is.
His plane left at nine, so he’ll be flying over France about now.
There’s no answer. She’ll be taking a shower, I expect.
Quick check
“It’s midnight. Don’t call her now — she’ll be sleeping.” When is she sleeping?
Here will be + -ing is a confident guess about the present.
Plans or requests?
Will you + verb? asks someone to do something (a request or an invitation). Will you be + -ing? only asks about their plans, so it sounds softer — useful when the plan affects you.
Will you be coming to the party?Just asking about your plans.
Will you come to the party?An invitation or a request.
Will you be using the printer this afternoon? I need to print a report.Asks about the plan before asking for anything.
Formal announcements
Shops, airports, trains, companies and the news use will be + -ing for things that are part of a fixed plan or timetable. It sounds neutral and polite — information, not a decision or a promise.
We will be closing in ten minutes. Please make your way to the checkouts.
The next train will be arriving at platform 4 shortly.
Our team will be contacting you within two working days.
Buses will be replacing trains between Leeds and York this weekend.
Quick check
“Passengers will be boarding through gate 12.” What is the announcement doing?
Announcements use will be + -ing to say politely what is going to happen as planned.
Common mistakes
Level AllWrong: I will working tomorrow.I will be working tomorrow.Don’t forget be.
Wrong: She will being sleeping.She will be sleeping.
Wrong: They will be play tennis.They will be playing tennis.
Wrong: He doesn’t be working tonight.He won’t be working tonight.
Wrong: Yes, I’ll.Yes, I will.Don’t contract positive short answers.
Wrong: Will she be working? — Yes, she does.Will she be working? — Yes, she will.The question starts with will, so the answer uses will / won’t.
Wrong: I’ll be waiting when you will arrive.I’ll be waiting when you arrive.Present simple after when, until, as soon as…
Wrong: Next year, she’ll be knowing the city well.Next year, she’ll know the city well.State verbs stay simple.
Remember
- will be + -ing for an action in progress at a moment in the future: This time tomorrow, I’ll be flying.
- It often sets the scene for another action: I’ll be cooking when you arrive — present simple after when.
- Will you be using…? asks politely about someone’s plans.
- For decisions, offers and promises made now, use will + verb: I’ll get it.
- State verbs (know, want, need) stay simple: you’ll know, not
you’ll be knowing.
Practise the future continuous
Pick your level. Gap-fills, “What will you be doing?” dialogues, when-clauses, will vs will be doing, “find the mistake” and more — new exercises every time.
- A1BeginnerFirst steps: will be + -ing for this time tomorrow.Start
- A2ElementaryNegatives, questions, short answers and when you arrive.Start
- B1IntermediateWhat will you be doing?, polite questions and state verbs.Start
- B2Upper intermediatewill vs will be doing, guesses about now and plans.Start
- C1AdvancedPlans or requests?, formal announcements and nuance.Start
- C2ProficientAnnouncements, tricky contrasts and natural style.Start