B1-B2 grammar reference
Future Progressive
The future progressive views an activity as already in progress at a particular future moment. It can also refer to an expected course of events or ask neutrally about someone's plans.
Form at a glance
Form: subject + will be + verb-ing
When to use it
- In progress at a future time:
This time tomorrow, we will be flying to Madrid.
- Expected course of events:
I will be working from home next week.
- A neutral question about plans:
Will you be using the car tonight?
Sentence patterns
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | S + will be + V-ing | They will be waiting outside. |
| Negative | S + will not be + V-ing | I won't be staying long. |
| Question | Will + S + be + V-ing? | Will she be joining us? |
| Future point | At/by + time + clause | At nine, we will be eating. |
Compare the meaning
Future progressive
Activity in progress/expected: I will be seeing Tom at work.
Will + base verb
Decision, offer, or simple prediction: I will see Tom tomorrow.
Common mistakes
- Include be:
will be working
, notwill working.
- Use it for an activity viewed in progress, not simply because an action is long.
- Use by with the future perfect for completion; use at with the progressive to look inside an activity.
Nuance and natural usage
- Questions in this form can sound less pressuring because they ask about an expected arrangement rather than requesting a decision.
- The progressive can imply that an event is routine or already arranged, reducing the sense of personal intention.