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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Future
Progressive

What will you be doing at this time tomorrow?

will be + -ing in progress
The idea

Already happening

The action will be in progress at a future moment — not starting, not finished, but under way.

Compare

At eight I will eat dinner. → I start at eight.

At eight I will be eating dinner. → I'm already in the middle of it.

Time markers

at this time tomorrow

this time next year

Also: in five years · at eight o'clock · when you arrive

Form

Positive, negative, question

will be + -ing  ·  won't be + -ing  ·  Will + subject + be + -ing?

People will be living in smaller homes in the future.
She will not be taking any classes next semester.
Next year at this time, he won't be living with his parents.

I will be working. They will be working. — be never moves.

In use

Three jobs it does

1 in progress:  This time tomorrow we will be flying over the Atlantic.
2 happening anyway:  I'll be seeing Tom on Friday, so I can tell him.
3 polite enquiry:  Will you be using the car tonight?

Will you use the car? sounds like a request. Will you be using it? is just a question.

The exception

Verbs that stay simple

stative verbs
know · believe · understand · want · need · like · own · be

I'll know the results by Friday.

a state, not an action

never say
will be + stative -ing

I'll be knowing the results by Friday.

She'll be owning the apartment by then.

If the verb describes a state, use the simple future instead.

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

We will ^ flying over the Atlantic.

Correct: We will be flying over the Atlantic.

She will be teach her evening class.

Correct: She will be teaching her evening class.

Next year he will being living abroad.

Correct: Next year he will be living abroad.

I'll be knowing the results by nine.

Correct: I'll know the results by nine.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

In five years, Rachel (work) as a translator for the UN.
By then, Kim (raise) her children with her husband.
Zac (earn) a lot of money as an actor.
Michael (teach) economics at Princeton.
She (not take) any classes next semester.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

This time next week I will be lyingA on a beach whileB you will be satC in a cold office inD Manchester.

Cwill be sat → will be sitting

✓ be + verb-ing, not the past participle

This time next year my brother will be studyA medicine inB Coimbra, andC I will be workingD in Porto.

Awill be study → will be studying

✓ will be + verb-ing

At eight tonight weA will havingB dinner withC my parents, soD call me later.

Bwill having → will be having

✓ will + be + verb-ing

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

At eight o'clock tomorrow morning I
This time next year my brother
Don't call me at seven, because I
I'll be passing your office later, so
Speak & write

Your turn

Answer with will be + -ing.

What will you be doing at this time tomorrow?
What will you be doing at this time next year?
Where will you be living and working in five years?
Name two things you won't be doing next weekend.
Recap

Remember this

The form
will + be + verb-ing
The meaning
already in progress at that moment
Also used for
events happening anyway · polite enquiries
Exception
stative verbs stay simple: I'll know

Three parts every time: will · be · -ing.

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