Future Continuous Tense

Future Continuous Tense

 

TENSES

The word ‘tense’ is derived from Latin word ‘tempus’ and it means time. Basically tense conveys the time of action.

Tenses are mainly divided into parts – Present, Past and Future. They are further subdivided into three categories – Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous.

 

PRESENT TENSE	PAST TENSE	FUTURE TENSE
PRESENT INDEFINITE	PAST INDEFINITE	FUTURE INDEFINITE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS	PAST CONTINUOUS	FUTURE CONTINUOUS
PRESENT PERFECT	PAST PERFECT	FUTURE PERFECT
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS	PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS	FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

 

FUTURE TENSE AT A GLANCE

FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

 

FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE is generally used to describe actions that will be happening at certain time in future. It is also known as Future Progressive Tense.

 

Usage of Future Continuous Tense

 

1. The Future Continuous Tense is used to express the actions that will be in progress at some time in future

e.g. 1. We will be performing on stage at this time tomorrow. (action in progress in future)

Father will be reaching in 10 minutes. (action to be happening in near future)

 

2. This tense is used to express an action that is fairly certain to be happening in future

  e.g.   Next week PM will be addressing the nation. (certain to be happening in future)

           They won't be coming back before evening. (sure not to happen)

 

3. It is used for planed future events/decisions.

e.g. We will be going to Malaysia next month. (planned event in future)

 We will be celebrating Deepawali on coming Monday. (event of future)

 

4. This Tense is used to express the future event in sequence of simple present

e.g. Mother will be cooking when we reach there. (in sequence of simple present)

 

Time Expressions used in this tense

Adverbs/adverb phrases used in the tense

            tomorrow                            tomorrow this time

            next week                             next year

            in evening                             coming week

            next year this time             this evening

            coming holidays                 this Christmas

            in 10 minutes                      after some time

Verb Form used in this tense

Basic structure of a sentence in this tense is Subject + will/shall + be + ing form of Verb + Object ( S+V+O )

Two elements of verb forms used in this tense are :

1. appropriate modal auxiliary ‘shall/will’

2. Base form of the verb ‘Be’ - be

3. Present participle form (V1+ing) of main verb

 

Will/shall + be	Present Participle form – verb 1 + ing
You shall be	giving final exams this time next year.
Shyam will be	leaving for Mumbai next morning.
She will be	reaching the station in 10 minutes.
I shall be	enjoying my summer break next month.
They will be	going to watch a movie in evening.
My grandparents will be	arriving today.

 

 

Uses of Will and shall

 

It does not matter if the subject is singular or plural the formula for the simple  future tense does not change-

 

We generally use will with I, you ,they, we, he, she and it .

We use shall with I and we.

 

Uses of ‘Will’ :

 

1. when we decide to do something at the time of speaking -

 

Examples:

I will have a glass of orange juice.

She will lie down for some time as she is tired.

 

3. to express the views  of the speaker

 

Examples:

I will consult a specialist for my eye problem.

I will not go for a walk as it is very humid.

 

4. to offer to do something

 

Examples :

I will make a cup of coffee for the guests.

I will pay your telephone bill.

 

5. to request somebody to do something

 

Example:

Will you bring my bag please?

 

6. to promise to do something

 

Example:

I will help you in the Science assignment.

 

Uses of ‘Shall’ :

These days, shall is mainly used to ask questions, to give suggestions or to make offers, seek or offer help.

 

Note : Will is used for certainty and assurance and shall is used for promise and offer of help. Shall is more formal and literary and will is used more commonly and more frequently

Example:

a) Shall I lay the table for dinner? (offer)

b) Shall we take the children to the circus this Sunday? (suggestion)

c) Shall we leave now?( question)

 

Note : Two future tenses can’t be used in a sentence, in case of two clauses, one clause should be in simple present tense while the other in any of the future tenses.

MORE EXAMPLES :

1. The children will be performing on stage next morning.

 2. We shall be playing match tomorrow this time.

 3. You shall be enjoying holidays after 3 days. (Adverb phrases)

 4. Mother will be preparing lunch when I reach home. (Adverb clause)

 5. I will be staying here till Sunday.

 6. When I get home, my children will be playing. (Adverb Clause)

Exercise for practice

1.     My cousins _________ here any time. (reach)

2.     We ____________ on stage tomorrow this time. (perform)

3.      My granny _________ for me at the airport. (wait)

4.     Are you free on Saturday? No, I _________ as usual from 10 to 6. (work)

5.     The Director __________ into these matters himself. (look)

6.     He ________ in Amsterdam from January to August this year. (stay)

7.     My friend _____________ for the birthday party.  (not come)

8.     We _________ in a few minutes. (take off)

9.     We _________ on and off. (meet)

10.     My boss ________for Australia next month. (leave)

 

Answers :

1. Will be reaching   2. Will be performing    3. Will be waiting   4. Will be working   5. Will be looking 6. Will be staying   7. Won’t be coming   8. Will be taking off   9. Shall be meeting   10. Shall be leaving