Futur Continu (will be -ing)
will be, -ing et ongoing action.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Future Continuous describes actions that will be in progress at a specific moment in the future.
- Use 'will be' + verb-ing for all subjects. Example: 'I will be sleeping at midnight.'
- Use it for actions interrupted by another event. Example: 'I'll be waiting when you arrive.'
- Avoid using it with stative verbs like 'know' or 'want'. Example: 'I will be knowing' is wrong.
Overview
Future Continuous (ou Future Progressive) est un temps verbal qui te permet de te projeter dans le futur pour décrire une action qui sera en cours à un moment précis. Sa structure est composée de will be suivi d'un verbe en -ing. En français, nous n'avons pas d'équivalent direct pour ce temps dans notre système de conjugaison.I will be working at 10 PM, en français, nous dirions « Je travaillerai à 22h » ou « Je serai en train de travailler à 22h ». La nuance du Future Continuous est de mettre l'accent sur la durée et le déroulement de l'action, plutôt que sur le fait accompli.Future Continuous repose sur le concept d'aspect progressif. En français, nous avons l'imparfait pour décrire des actions en cours dans le passé, mais pour le futur, nous manquons d'une forme synthétique équivalente. Le Future Continuous fonctionne en ancrant une action dans une durée future.I will call) est un point précis, alors que le Future Continuous (I will be driving) est un segment. Si tu dis I will be driving when you call, l'action de driving est le contexte, le décor, et l'appel est l'événement qui survient pendant cette période. Cette structure est très utile pour créer des contrastes temporels.At midnight, we will be celebrating signifie « À minuit, nous serons en train de faire la fête ». Le Future Continuous apporte cette précision avec une économie de mots typiquement anglaise.Future Continuous est immersif.The train will arrive at 5 (une information) et At 5, we will be arriving, so look for us on the platform (une expérience vécue). Cette nuance est cruciale pour atteindre un niveau B2 solide et paraître plus naturel à l'oral.sujet + will + be + verbe-ing. Il n'y a aucune exception, pas de terminaison à accorder, et le verbe be reste invariable.Sujet + will + be + V-ing | I will be studying |Sujet + will not + be + V-ing | I will not be studying |Will + sujet + be + V-ing? | Will you be studying? |Sujet + 'll + be + V-ing | I'll be studying |‘ll est omniprésente dans le langage parlé et informel, tout comme nous utilisons « j'suis » ou « t'as » en français. Pour les questions, l'inversion will + sujet est le seul changement structurel nécessaire. Cette régularité est un avantage majeur par rapport à la conjugaison française où chaque groupe de verbes demande une attention particulière sur les terminaisons.Future Continuous dans plusieurs situations précises pour affiner ton expression :- 1Actions en cours à un moment précis : C'est l'usage classique pour définir un cadre temporel.
This time tomorrow, I will be sitting on the beach in Nice.Ici, tu décris une situation en cours de déroulement. - 2Actions interrompues : Comme mentionné, il sert de toile de fond.
When you arrive, I will be cooking dinner.Lecookingest l'action longue, l'arrivée est l'action courte. - 3Actions parallèles : Pour décrire deux choses qui se passent en même temps dans le futur.
My brother will be playing video games while I will be doing my homework. - 4Politesse et questions indirectes : C'est une astuce de niveau B2. Demander
Will you be going to the market?est beaucoup plus poli et moins directif queWill you go to the market?. Cela suggère que tu t'enquiers simplement d'un plan existant, ce qui est très courant dans les interactions sociales au bureau ou entre amis. - 5Routine prévue : Pour parler d'événements qui arrivent naturellement.
We will be having our weekly meeting on Monday.Cela souligne que l'événement fait partie d'un processus régulier et attendu.
- 1L'omission du verbe
be: L'erreur la plus fréquente est de direI will studying. Pourquoi ? Parce qu'en français, nous avons tendance à traduire « Je travaillerai » directement. Nous oublions lebecar il n'a pas d'équivalent direct dans notre futur simple. Il faut se rappeler que le-ingne peut jamais être seul dans cette structure. - 2L'usage du
Future Continuouspour des décisions spontanées : Un francophone peut direI will be doing it!en pensant être poli, alors qu'il devrait direI will do it!. L'erreur vient de la confusion entre l'aspect progressif et la volonté immédiate. En anglais,willexprime la décision instantanée, pas le processus. - 3Confusion avec le futur parfait : Utiliser
will be doingalors que l'action sera terminée. Exemple :By 8 PM, I will be finishing my report. Cela signifie que tu seras encore en train de le finir à 20h. Si tu veux dire que c'est fini, il faut utiliserwill have finished. C'est une confusion classique car, en français, nous utilisons souvent le futur simple pour les deux cas, ce qui brouille la perception de l'aspect accompli.
Future Continuous des autres formes du futur pour éviter les erreurs de sens.Simple Future | Décision, prédiction, fait ponctuel | Équivalent à notre futur simple (ex: « Je ferai ») |Future Continuous | Action en cours dans le futur | Pas d'équivalent, idée de « être en train de » |Future Perfect | Action terminée avant un point futur | Équivalent au futur antérieur (ex: « J'aurai fait ») |Future Continuous se distingue du Future Perfect par son aspect inachevé. Si tu dis I will be reading, tu es au milieu du livre. Si tu dis I will have read, tu as fini le livre.- 1Est-ce que je peux utiliser le
Future Continuousavec des verbes d'état commeknowoulove? Non, c'est une erreur. Ces verbes ne décrivent pas une action physique en mouvement, ils n'ont donc pas de forme continue. On ditI will knowet nonI will be knowing. - 2Quelle est la différence entre
I will be workingetI am going to be working?I am going toimplique une intention ou un plan préalable, tandis queI will be workingest une description plus neutre d'une activité future en cours. Dans le langage courant, la distinction est parfois subtile, maiswillreste le plus utilisé pour leFuture Continuous. - 3Puis-je l'utiliser pour parler de mes intentions ? Pas idéalement. Pour une intention, préfère
I am going toouI am planning to. LeFuture Continuousest là pour peindre une scène, pas pour annoncer tes résolutions de l'année.
Conjugation of 'To Work' in Future Continuous
| Subject | Auxiliary | Be | Verb + -ing |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
will
|
be
|
working
|
|
You
|
will
|
be
|
working
|
|
He/She/It
|
will
|
be
|
working
|
|
We
|
will
|
be
|
working
|
|
They
|
will
|
be
|
working
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|
|
I will be
|
I'll be
|
I won't be
|
|
You will be
|
You'll be
|
You won't be
|
|
He will be
|
He'll be
|
He won't be
|
|
She will be
|
She'll be
|
She won't be
|
|
It will be
|
It'll be
|
It won't be
|
|
We will be
|
We'll be
|
We won't be
|
|
They will be
|
They'll be
|
They won't be
|
Meanings
A verb tense used to show that an action will be ongoing at a particular time in the future. It emphasizes the duration or the process rather than the completion of the act.
Specific Time Progress
Action happening at a precise moment in the future.
“At 8 PM tonight, we will be eating dinner.”
“I'll be working at my desk when the clock strikes nine.”
Interrupted Future Action
An ongoing future action that is 'interrupted' by a shorter action (usually in Present Simple).
“I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.”
“She'll be cooking when you get there.”
Polite Inquiries
Asking about someone's plans in a way that sounds less demanding and more like a casual check.
“Will you be using the car this evening?”
“Will you be staying with us for long?”
Parallel Actions
Two actions happening at the same time in the future.
“While you are studying, I will be cleaning the house.”
“He will be playing guitar while she is singing.”
Atmosphere/Background
Setting the scene for a future event or story.
“When we arrive at the party, people will be dancing and music will be playing.”
“The sun will be shining and birds will be singing when we wake up.”
Reference Table
| Usage | Structure | Exemple | Signification |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Moment précis dans le futur
|
Sujet + will be + V-ing
|
At 8 PM, I'll be eating.
|
L'action est en cours à 20h pile.
|
|
Actions parallèles
|
While + action 1, action 2 + will be + V-ing
|
While I'm cooking, she'll be working.
|
Deux actions simultanées dans le futur.
|
|
Action interrompue
|
Action longue + when + action courte
|
I'll be sleeping when you call.
|
Action en cours coupée par un autre événement.
|
|
Questions polies
|
Will + Sujet + be + V-ing?
|
Will you be attending the party?
|
Demande courtoise sur les projets de quelqu'un.
|
|
Prédiction / Supposition
|
Sujet + will be + V-ing
|
He'll be studying for his test now.
|
On suppose que l'action est en cours.
|
Spectre de formalité
Will you be attending the gala this evening? (social planning)
Will you be going to the party tonight? (social planning)
Will you be heading to the bash later? (social planning)
You gonna be hitting up that party? (social planning)
Concepts clés du Future Continuous (Will Be -ing)
Idée principale
- Action en cours Action in progress
- Moment futur précis Point or period in future
Usages
- Interruption One action stops another
- Actions parallèles Two actions simultaneously
- Questions polies Asking about plans gently
- Prédiction Assuming a future state
Formation
- Will + Be Auxiliary structure
- Verbe + -ing Present Participle
Future Continuous vs. Simple Future
Choisir le bon temps du futur
L'action est-elle un processus continu à un moment donné ?
Est-ce une action brève, terminée ou un fait ?
Est-ce une intention prévue ou une prédiction basée sur des preuves ?
L'action sera-t-elle terminée d'ici un certain moment ?
Contextes du Future Continuous
Marqueurs de temps
- • this time next week
- • at 5 PM tomorrow
- • while you are...
- • when I arrive
- • all morning/day/week
Situations
- • questions polies
- • prédictions
- • routines
- • interruptions
- • décor d'une scène
À éviter avec
- • verbes d'état
- • actions brèves
- • faits simples
- • insister sur la fin
Sensation
- • dynamique
- • fluide
- • en cours
- • situationnel
- • naturel
Exemples par niveau
I will be sleeping at 11 PM.
I will be sleeping at 11 PM.
She will be eating lunch soon.
She will be eating lunch soon.
They will be playing soccer.
They will be playing soccer.
Will you be coming to the party?
Will you be coming to the party?
I'll be working at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
I'll be working at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
We won't be staying at a hotel.
We won't be staying at a hotel.
Will they be waiting for us at the station?
Will they be waiting for us at the station?
He will be driving all night.
He will be driving all night.
This time next week, I'll be lying on a beach in Spain.
This time next week, I'll be lying on a beach in Spain.
I'll be thinking of you during your exam.
I'll be thinking of you during your exam.
Will you be using your laptop later this evening?
Will you be using your laptop later this evening?
They will be moving house all weekend.
They will be moving house all weekend.
I'll be seeing Sarah at the conference, so I can give her the message.
I'll be seeing Sarah at the conference, so I can give her the message.
The government will be introducing new regulations next month.
The government will be introducing new regulations next month.
Will you be needing anything else from the store?
Will you be needing anything else from the store?
We'll be flying over the Alps in about ten minutes.
We'll be flying over the Alps in about ten minutes.
By 2030, more people will be living in urban areas than ever before.
By 2030, more people will be living in urban areas than ever before.
I'll be hoping for a positive outcome from the board meeting.
I'll be hoping for a positive outcome from the board meeting.
The orchestra will be performing the symphony as originally composed.
The orchestra will be performing the symphony as originally composed.
Will you be wanting to review the transcripts before we publish?
Will you be wanting to review the transcripts before we publish?
In the coming decades, AI will be fundamentally reshaping our understanding of labor.
In the coming decades, AI will be fundamentally reshaping our understanding of labor.
One assumes the committee will be deliberating on this matter for some time.
One assumes the committee will be deliberating on this matter for some time.
The protagonist will be grappling with these moral dilemmas throughout the third act.
The protagonist will be grappling with these moral dilemmas throughout the third act.
I'll be expecting a full report on my desk by Monday morning, without fail.
I'll be expecting a full report on my desk by Monday morning, without fail.
Facile à confondre
Learners often use Future Simple for everything. They forget that Future Continuous adds a sense of 'being in the middle' of something.
Both can be used for plans. Present Continuous is for fixed arrangements; Future Continuous is for actions in progress at a time.
One is about duration; the other is about completion.
Erreurs courantes
I will working tomorrow.
I will be working tomorrow.
I will be work tomorrow.
I will be working tomorrow.
Will you be eat?
Will you be eating?
I will be be sleeping.
I will be sleeping.
I will be knowing the answer.
I will know the answer.
They will be having a car.
They will have a car.
I'll be go to the gym.
I'll be going to the gym.
I will be being at home.
I will be at home.
When you will be arriving, I'll be waiting.
When you arrive, I'll be waiting.
I will be wanting a coffee.
I will want a coffee.
I will be seeing to that tomorrow.
I will see to that tomorrow.
Will you be having understood?
Will you have understood?
Structures de phrases
This time next ___, I will be ___ing.
Don't call me at ___, because I'll be ___ing.
Will you be ___ing ___ anytime soon?
While you are ___, I will be ___ing.
Real World Usage
I'll be heading over in 10 mins!
In five years, I see myself and I will be leading a team.
We will be landing shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts.
Your driver will be arriving soon.
It will be raining across most of the country tomorrow.
I'll be going live on Instagram at 5 PM!
Pense à 'en plein milieu de'
This time tomorrow, I will be flying to Tokyo.
Attention aux verbes d'état !
I will know the answer soon.
Parfait pour la politesse
Will you be staying with us tonight?
L'omission familière du 'Will'
You be coming to the party?
Précise le moment
I will be sleeping at midnight.
Smart Tips
Use the Future Continuous to sound less demanding.
Use 'this time next week' to set a vivid scene.
Immediately switch to Future Simple.
Use Future Continuous to show you are busy during a specific window.
Prononciation
Contraction of 'will'
In spoken English, 'will' is almost always contracted to ''ll'.
The 'be' reduction
The word 'be' is often unstressed and sounds very short.
The '-ing' ending
In casual speech, the 'g' is often dropped (e.g., 'workin').
Polite Inquiry Rise
Will you be using the ↗ car?
A rising intonation at the end makes the question sound more like a polite request.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
W.B.I.: Will Be -Ing. Think of it as 'Will Be In-progress'.
Association visuelle
Imagine a camera taking a photo of you in the future. You aren't standing still; you are caught in the middle of an action, like running or laughing.
Rhyme
At ten I'll be sleeping, while the moon is peeping.
Story
Imagine yourself tomorrow at noon. You are sitting in a cafe, drinking coffee, and reading a book. To describe this 'snapshot' of your future self, you say: 'I will be sitting, I will be drinking, and I will be reading.'
Word Web
Défi
Look at your calendar for tomorrow. Pick three specific times (e.g., 9 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM) and write down exactly what you will be doing at those moments using the Future Continuous.
Notes culturelles
British speakers often use 'shall' instead of 'will' with 'I' and 'we' in formal writing, though 'will' is now standard everywhere.
Using the Future Continuous is a key way to 'soften' business communication. It sounds less aggressive than the Future Simple.
Asking 'Will you be staying for dinner?' is considered more polite than 'Are you staying for dinner?' because it implies the guest has no obligation.
The use of 'will' as a future marker comes from the Old English 'wyllan', meaning 'to wish' or 'to want'. The continuous aspect (-ing) developed later to provide more descriptive power to the language.
Amorces de conversation
What will you be doing this time next year?
Will you be working this weekend?
Imagine your dream vacation. What will you be doing on the first day?
How will technology be changing our lives in ten years?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Score: /4
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesAt 8 PM tonight, I ___ (watch) my favorite show.
___ the computer this afternoon?
Find and fix the mistake:
I will be knowing the results by tomorrow morning.
I will work at 10 AM. (Focus on the process)
A: Can we meet at 3 PM? B: No, I ___ (have) a meeting then.
1. I'll be seeing him. 2. I'll see him.
They ___ coming.
be / time / flying / next / I / will / week / this
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesScore: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, but only with 'I' and 'we'. It is very formal and mostly used in British English. Example: `I shall be waiting.`
They are very similar. `I'll be doing` is more common for predictions and routines, while `I'm going to be doing` emphasizes a strong intention or a plan already made.
Because `know` is a stative verb. Stative verbs describe a state of being, not a physical action. You can't be 'in the middle' of a state.
Use Future Continuous when you want to emphasize that an action takes time or will be happening at a specific moment. Use Future Simple for facts, promises, or quick decisions.
Yes! It's very common. `It will be snowing tomorrow` sounds more descriptive than `It will snow.`
Absolutely. It's perfect for parallel actions: `I'll be cooking while you'll be cleaning.` (Though often the second verb is Present Continuous: `while you are cleaning`).
Yes, it's the 'polite' tense. `We will be sending the files` sounds softer than `We will send the files.`
Common markers include `this time tomorrow`, `at [time]`, `all day`, `next week`, and `while`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estaré trabajando
English uses it more frequently for politeness.
Je serai en train de travailler
French simple future covers both English simple and continuous meanings.
Ich werde arbeiten
German lacks a dedicated continuous aspect.
Benkyou shite iru darou
Japanese often implies a degree of uncertainty with this form.
Sa-akunu amalu
The structure is similar but the usage frequency differs.
Wǒ huì zài gōngzuò
No verb inflections or 'be' verb required.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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