Future Progressive
- We use the Future Progressive to describe actions\activities\processes\changes that will be happening in a specific time frame in the future. As a time frame is typical in this tense, these activities will be planned\known in advance.
- Let’s examine the following sentence: “Next month, I’ll be working on a new project”. The activity here is -working on the new project. Even if a time frame isn’t explicitly indicated in the sentence, the existence of one is inferred when this structure is used.
We use the Future Progressive to talk about:
- Actions that are part of a normal course of events in the future.
- A future process\activity originated from a decision\arrangement.
- Events\pre-arranged activity.
- Future Simultaneous actions\habits.
- Temporary situations in the future.
As usual, I’ll be passing through your neighborhood on my way to work, I can pick you up, no problem. (part of a normal course of events in the future) | We’ll be practicing some grammar as part of our lesson like every week. (part of a normal course of events in the future) |
Well, I’ve registered for a course. This time next month I’ll be studying English twice a week. (A future process from a decision) | Well, my coach put me on a strict training plan, in the next few months I’ll be working out around the clock. (A future process from an arrangement) |
We will be leaving for New York at 7:00 tomorrow. (event in the future) | I’ll be taking questions at the end of my lecture. (pre-arranged activity) |
The players will be sitting on the bench, talking to each other, making jokes. (Simultaneous actions) | He’ll be sitting at the table, eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. (Simultaneous actions) |
Wait, where will you live when you’re there? I’ll be living with a friend until I find my own place. (temporary situation in the future) | How are you going to get by when you stay there? I’ll be working part time as a receptionist until I find work in my field. (temporary situation in the future) |
Future Progressive Structure:
I will (I’ll) be studying at Bright English. | I won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will I be studying at Bright English? |
Yoni and I will (we’ll) be studying at Bright English. | We won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will we be studying at Bright English? |
You will (you’ll) be studying at Bright English. | You won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will you be studying at Bright English? |
The men (they’ll) be studying at Bright English. | They won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will they be studying at Bright English? |
Ben (he’ll) be studying at Bright English. | He won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will he be studying at Bright English? |
Maya (she’ll) be studying at Bright English. | She won’t be studying at Bright English. | Will she be studying at Bright English? |
The computer (it’ll) be studying well. | It won’t be studying well. | Will it be studying well? |
Future Progressive Rules:
Subject + will + be + verb.ing
- We use will + be to build questions (see table above).
- We use won’t + be to make negatives (see table above).
- The Future Progressive often means an activity was pre-planned, comparing to the simple that reflects willingness. {Maya will be helping with the party decorations. (planned) Maya will help with the decorations. (willing to help.)}
- We do not usually use the Future Progressive with verbs such as understand, own, dis(like), belong, know which describe unchanging states. (I will be owning a big car × incorrect)
Common time expressions in the Future Progressive:
This time next _____ (week, month etc.), tonight, tomorrow, next ____ (week, month etc), soon, in the future.
