Use will be plus the -ing form for an action in progress at a specific future moment, as in this time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris, and will have been plus the -ing form to emphasize duration up to a future point, as in by next June, I will have been working here for ten years.
Grammar Rule
The future continuous describes an action in progress at a specific future moment; the future perfect continuous emphasizes duration up to a future point.
Future Continuous vs Future Perfect Continuous: Rules and Examples
| Form | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will be + -ing | action in progress at a future moment | This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris. She will be studying when you call her. |
| will have been + -ing | duration up to a future point | By next June, I will have been working here for ten years. |
Remember: will be + -ing = in progress at a future moment; will have been + -ing = duration up to a future point.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing correctly between the future continuous and the future perfect continuous. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-60. Future Continuous vs Future Perfect Continuous
Click «Start the test» to begin right away — no signup required. You can get a personalized certificate with your name and score at the end, if you want one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use the future continuous?
For an action in progress at a specific future moment, as in this time tomorrow, I will be flying to Paris.
When do you use the future perfect continuous?
To emphasize duration up to a future point, as in by next June, I will have been working here for ten years.
How do you form the future perfect continuous?
With will have been plus the -ing form of the verb.
Can both forms refer to the same future moment?
Yes, but the future continuous focuses on the action itself, while the future perfect continuous focuses on how long it has been happening.