FUTURE
CONTINUOUS
The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future
of the verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)
Subject
|
simple
future, 'to be'
|
base+ing
|
You
|
will be
|
watching
|
Affirmative
I will be asking
You will be asking
He will be asking
She will be asking
It will be asking
We will be asking
You will be asking
They will be asking
|
Negative
I won't be leaving
You won't be leaving
He won't be leaving
She won't be leaving
It won't be leaving
We won't be leaving
You won't be leaving
They won't be leaving
|
Interrogative
Will I be retiring?
Will you be retiring?
Will he be retiring?
Will she be retiring?
Will it be retiring?
Will we be retiring?
Will you be retiring?
Will they be retiring?
|
Interrogative
negative
Won't I be staying?
Won't you be staying?
Won't he be staying?
Won't she be staying?
Won't it be staying?
Won't we be staying?
Won't you be staying?
Won't they be staying?
|
Example:
to stay,
future continuous
Affirmative
|
Negative
|
Interrogative
|
I will
be staying
|
I won't be
staying
|
Will I be
staying?
|
You
will be staying
|
You won't
be staying
|
Will you
be staying?
|
He, she,
it will be staying
|
He won't
be staying
|
Will she
be staying?
|
We
will be staying
|
We won't
be staying
|
Will we be
staying?
|
You
will be staying
|
You won't
be staying
|
Will you
be staying?
|
They
will be staying
|
They won't
be staying
|
Will they
be staying?
|
Future
continuous, function
The future continuous refers to an unfinished
action or event that will be in progress at a time later
than now. It is used:
a. to project ourselves
into the future and see something happening: This time next week I
will be sun-bathing in Bali.
b. to refer to
actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events: I'll
be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
c. in the interrogative
form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request
for information and an invitation: Will
you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information)
Will you come to the party? (= invitation)
d. to predict or
guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future: You'll
be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.
More examples:
a. events in
progress in the future:
When you are in Australia will
you be staying with friends?
This time next week you will be working
in your new job.
At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will
be signing the contract.
b. events/actions
in normal course of events:
I'll be going into town
this afternoon, is there anything you want from the shops?
Will you be using the car
tomorrow? - No, you can take it.
I'll be seeing Jane this
evening - I'll give her the message.
c. asking for
information:
Will you be bringing your
friend to the pub tonight?
Will Jim be coming with
us?
d. predicting
or guessing:
You'll be feeling thirsty
after working in the sun.
He'll be coming to the
meeting, I expect.
You'll be missing
the sunshine now you're back in England.
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