The future continuous tense (also called future progressive) expresses:
The future continuous tense (also called future progressive) expresses:
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An ongoing action or event at a specific moment in the future
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Multiple future actions or events happening at the same time
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A future action or event interrupted by another action
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Plausible hypothetical situations in the future
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An ongoing action or event at a specific moment in the future
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Multiple future actions or events happening at the same time
-
A future action or event interrupted by another action
-
Plausible hypothetical situations in the future
Using the future continuous verb tense usually requires more context, such as a conversation.
In many cases, the simple future could also work but won’t focus on the ongoing nature of the action of the future continuous.
Here are some guidelines to help you choose between the simple future or the future continuous.
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Simple future |
Future continuous |
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Example: He is going to participate in the space mission around the moon. |
Example: He can’t go to the Halloween party because he will be participating in the space mission from September to December 2024. |
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It implies: |
It implies: |
Some main verbs do not always refer to a dynamic action. Stative verbs refer to states of being, emotions, opinions, preferences or senses.
Stative verbs aren’t usually used in continuous tenses since they show the state of the subject
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Example |
Explanation |
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Don't X |
Christina will be loving piloting the space shuttle. X |
Her opinion on piloting isn't an on-going future action. |
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She will be understanding biomechanics. X |
Her understanding is not an on-going future action. |
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Do ✔ |
Christina will love piloting the space shuttle. ✔ |
Her opinion on piloting is a future fact. |
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She will be understanding biomechanics. ✔ |
Her understanding is a future fact. |
