Future Simple or Future Continuous?

Learn which tense to use, and why.

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Topic

What does it mean?

Use the future simple for an action that will happen in the future. Use the future continuous for an action that will be in progress at a future time.

I will finish tonight.
I will be studying at 8.
She will call tomorrow.
She will be calling at noon.
Big idea

Ask: will it happen, or be happening then?

Future actionI will visit Salalah next week.Use future simple.
In progress at a future timeAt 9, I will be studying.Use future continuous.
Expected activityThis time tomorrow, we will be travelling.The action surrounds that future moment.
Future simple

Use it for future facts, decisions, promises, and predictions.

Future factSchool will start tomorrow.It will happen.
Quick decisionI will answer the phone.Decided now.
PromiseI will help you after class.Will + base verb.
Future continuous

Use it for action in progress at a future time.

At + future timeI will be reading at 7.Reading is happening then.
When another action happensShe will be cooking when you arrive.Cooking will already be happening.
This time...This time next week, we will be camping.Activity around that moment.
Signal words

Time words can help.

Future simple cluestomorrow, next week, later, soon, I thinkAction will happen.
Future continuous cluesat 6, then, this time tomorrow, when you arriveAction in progress at a future point.
AskDoes it just happen in the future, or will it be happening then?Meaning decides.
Form reminder

Future simple forms.

AffirmativeI will go.
She will help.will + base verb
NegativeI won't go.
He won't help.won't + base verb
QuestionWill you come?
Will they play?Will + subject + base verb?
Form reminder

Future continuous forms.

AffirmativeI will be working.
She will be reading.will be + verb-ing
NegativeI won't be working.
He won't be sleeping.won't be + verb-ing
QuestionWill you be waiting?
Will they be playing?Will + subject + be + verb-ing?
Compare

Simple future or future continuous?

I will finish tonight.The action will happen tonight.Simple future.
I will be studying at 8.The action will be happening at 8.Future continuous.
Why?Will finish = future fact.
Will be studying = in progress then.Choose from meaning.
Common mistake

Keep the full form: will be + verb-ing.

CorrectShe will visit tomorrow.Future simple: will + base verb.
CorrectShe will be visiting at 8.Future continuous: will be + verb-ing.
Not correctShe will visits.
She will be visit.Use base verb or be + -ing.
Sentence completion 1

Choose the correct form.

I ___ my cousins next week.

Sentence completion 2

Choose the correct form.

Maha ___ her homework at 8.

Sentence completion 3

Choose the correct question.

___ you be waiting at the gate?

MCQ 1

Which sentence shows an action in progress at a future time?

Choose the best sentence.

MCQ 2

Which sentence shows a future action?

Choose the best sentence.

Paragraph completion 1

Fill five blanks.

Choose future simple or future continuous. Think about why.

Tomorrow, we to Muscat.
This time tomorrow, we to Muscat.
Ali the poster tonight.
Maha at noon.
you be reading at 7?
Test 1

Mixed question types of 5

Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.

1. Sentence completion

Sara ___ the story tonight.

2. MCQ

Which sentence shows an action in progress at a future time?

3. Type the answer

___ they be sleeping when we arrive?

4. Type the answer

I ___ at 9 tomorrow. It is a holiday.

5. MCQ

Which question is correct?

Cumulative result sheet

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