The future progressive tense, also known as the future continuous tense, is used to indicate a future event that will be ongoing (or “progressive”). This construct requires the use of “to be,” as well as the verb with an -ing ending. It follows a general formula of will + to be + verb (ending in -ing).
For example, “The children will be walking to school.” You can see how “will be” tells us that this is a future event, and “walking” here indicates a continuous event. Let’s take a look at a few more future progressive tense examples.
Future Progressive Tense
In another article, we discuss verbs in the future perfect progressive tense. But, now, we know there’s another option for pointing toward a continuous future: the future progressive tense. Instead of saying, “The dog will have been eating,” you can say, “The dog will be eating.” Again, it indicates a future, continuous action.
Let’s think about simple future tense. It follows a straightforward, generally singular prediction into the future. For example, “I will meditate tomorrow morning.” Future progressive tense serves to extend a futuristic activity. So, “I will meditate” (single instance) becomes, “I will be meditating every morning” (continuous activity).
Example Sentences
In a way, the future progressive tense is used to make predictions. Perhaps they’re surefire predictions. Perhaps they’re hopes and dreams. Here are a few samples.
- In two months, I will be eating a plant-based diet.
- By 3019, we will be driving spaceships.
- In a year, he will be asking for forgiveness.
- In an hour, we will be flying over the Atlantic.
- By then, we will be practicing yoga every morning.
- Joanne will be coming home for the holidays.
- The amusement park will be increasing ticket prices later this year.
Used in a Question
Each of the examples above indicate statements that are declarative sentences. That is, they’re simply making a statement or, perhaps, answering a question. But, the future progressive tense may also be used to pose a question. The formula for these is will + subject + be + verb (ending in -ing). Here are two examples:
- Will you be eating a plant-based diet in two months?
- Will he be asking for forgiveness in a year?
- Will Joanne be coming home for the holidays?
- Will we be flying over the Atlantic soon?
- Will the amusement park be increasing ticket prices later this year?
Negative Form
The future progressive tense may also be used in the negative form to indicate a continuous action will not be happening in the future. The formula will read will + not + be + verb (ending in -ing). Here are two examples:
- I will not be eating a plant-based diet anytime soon.
- We will not be driving spaceships in 3019.
- He will not be asking for forgiveness in a year.
- Joanne will not be coming home for the holidays.
- The amusement park will not be increasing ticket prices later this year.
Verbs Aren’t Easy
Verbs aren’t easy. They revolve around that sticky word: conjugation. No matter what language you’re learning, it’s the hardest part of the process. Sometimes, it takes rote memorization and practice; other times, it just takes a little bit of study time.
Seeing examples always helps, though. For more on this practice, check out How to Conjugate Progressive Verb Tenses. It’ll help bring it all together.