Future Continuous: Actions in Progress at a Specific Future Point

Choose between the Future Continuous and the Future Simple (will). Think about whether the action will be in progress at the future moment — or whether it will simply happen at or after that point.

• 1
  At midnight, I — select —will be sleepingwill sleep — please don't call.
• 2
  Don't worry — I — select —will be callingwill call you as soon as the meeting ends.
• 3
  When you arrive at the station, she — select —will be waitingwill wait for you on the platform.
• 4
  This time next week, they — select —will be flyingwill fly over the Atlantic.
• 5
  I — select —will be sendingwill send you the report by the end of the day — it'll be in your inbox tonight.
• 6
  At three o'clock tomorrow, the president — select —will be givingwill give a speech to the nation.
• 7
  Don't knock — she — select —will be sleepingwill sleep at that time — she always naps in the afternoon.
• 8
  The results — select —will be arrivingwill arrive by email tomorrow morning.
• 9
  When the guests get here, we — select —will be preparingwill prepare the dinner — everything should be almost ready.
• 10
  At this time tomorrow, she — select —will be sittingwill sit her final exam.

Write the correct Future Continuous form of the verb in brackets. Each sentence describes an action that will be in progress at a specific future moment.

• 1
  At noon tomorrow, he (present / give) his quarterly report to the board.
• 2
  Don't call between two and three — I (drive) through the tunnel and there's no signal.
• 3
  When you wake up, the children (already / eat) breakfast.
• 4
  This time next month, we (sit) on a beach in Portugal.
• 5
  At midnight, the fireworks (go off) and everyone will be celebrating.
• 6
  When the concert starts, the band (tune) their instruments on stage.
• 7
  By the time the movie ends, she (sleep) — she always falls asleep during movies.
• 8
  When you read this message, I (probably / fly) somewhere over the Atlantic.
• 9
  At nine o'clock this evening, he (watch) the match — don't disturb him.
• 10
  When the meeting starts, most participants (still / log in) to the video call.

A TV broadcaster is describing what various people around the world will be doing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Fill in each gap with the correct Future Continuous form.

Your answers:

Rewrite each sentence as a negative. Use won't be + verb-ing.

• 1
  At noon, she will be attending the board meeting.

  At noon, she the board meeting.
• 2
  When you arrive, I will be waiting at the gate.

  When you arrive, I at the gate.
• 3
  This time tomorrow, they will be flying to New York.

  This time tomorrow, they to New York.
• 4
  At three o'clock, he will be presenting his findings.

  At three o'clock, he his findings.
• 5
  When the meeting starts, we will be sitting in the conference room.

  When the meeting starts, we in the conference room.
• 6
  At midnight, the children will be sleeping.

  At midnight, the children .
• 7
  This time next year, she will be studying at Oxford.

  This time next year, she at Oxford.
• 8
  When the show starts, he will be sitting in the front row.

  When the show starts, he in the front row.
• 9
  At this time tomorrow, I will be working from home.

  At this time tomorrow, I from home.
• 10
  When you call, they will be having dinner.

  When you call, they dinner.

Use the prompts to write a Future Continuous question asking what someone will be doing at a specific future moment.

• 1
  What / you / do / at noon tomorrow⇒
• 2
  she / attend / the conference⇒
• 3
  they / wait / when we arrive⇒
• 4
  Where / you / stay / this time next week⇒
• 5
  he / sleep / at midnight⇒
• 6
  What / she / present / at three o'clock⇒
• 7
  you / work from home / tomorrow morning⇒
• 8
  they / fly / when you call⇒
• 9
  Who / speak / at the event⇒
• 10
  the team / practice / at that time⇒