future continuous

will be doing

We use will be + ing when we talk about an activity or event going on at a particular time or over a particular period in the future:•Next Friday the President will be celebrating ten years in power.•The plane will be travelling at twice the speed of sound when it passes overhead.•After the operation you won’t be doing any sport for a while.•I will be saying more about that topic in my next lecture.

It is also used when the future activity or event is the result of a previous decision or arrangement:•He will be taking up his place at university in July. (previous decision)•She will be preforming every day until the end of the month. (timetable)•We’ll be going to my brother’s house again for Christmas. (routine)•I’ll be seeing Tony on Tuesday )that’s when we usually meet).

We can often use either the future continuous or the present continuous when we talk about planned activities or events in the future:•We will be leaving / are leaving for Istanbul at 7 PM.•Professor Hodge will be giving / is giving the first presentation at the conference.But for something surprisin g or unexepcted pres. cont. is preferred:•Have you heard the news? Dr Radford is leaving!

compare future continuous and will

Ann will help us organize the party. (she is willing to help)

Will you come to the concert?(an invitation)

We’ll join you in half an hour.(just decided)

Ann will be helping us to organize the party.(a previous arrangement)

Will you be coming to the concert?(asking about a possible previous arrangement)

We’ll be joining you in half an hour.(a previous arrangement)

Future continuous is used when we want sound particularly polite. For example, if you are asking someone about their plans because you want to ask them to do something unexpected or difficult. Compare:

Are you starting work on the room today?Will you be starting work on the room today?

What time are you coming to baby-sit?What time will you be coming to baby-sit?

or

Are you going to be starting work on you room today?

Ask about people’s plans

• You want to use the computer. David is using it now.

• You want some things form the supermarket. Ann is just leaving the house.

• You are going to see a film with Jo, who has a car. A lift would be nicer than the bus.

• You want to buy Jack’s car but you don’t know whether he plans to sell it.