Gear Two: Topic 30

Topic 30 Future Continuous Tense

We use the Future Continuous Tense to show an action which will continue at a certain time in the future.

Verb Pattern

[S] shall / will be F2 ------------------------------------. (+)

[S] shall / will not be F2 -------------------------------. ( - )

Shall / Will [S] be F2 ------------------------------------ ( ? )

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We use ‘shall’ when the Subject [S] is ‘ I / We’ and the other persons we use ‘will’. Of course, you may also use ‘will’ for ‘I / We’ if it has something to do with determination.

[I] shall be helping around in the hall at 6 pm tomorrow evening.

[You] will be decorating the hall this afternoon.

Will [Biki] be rehearsing the dance at 8 am tomorrow morning?

[Nora] will be sewing the clothes at 9 am tomorrow morning.

Will [your pet dog] be running about freely at 5 pm this evening?

[We] shall not be singing in the choir next Tuesday.

[You] will be weeding the garden at 6 pm tomorrow.

Will [they] be drawing in the contest next Sunday morning?

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Similarities and differences

Simple Future Tense Future Continuous Tense

a) Verb-to-be

[S] shall / will be [S] shall / will be F2

b) Ordinary verb

[S] shall / will F1

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(We use the Simple Future Tense to show a fact in the future. But we use the Future Continuous Tense to show a continuous action in the future.)

[I] shall be ready to go to the airport in a minute.

[I] shall be waiting there for a while.

[You] will receive the parcel soon.

[Meena] will be telling you what she has sent you on the telephone.

[Sally] will see Mr Wong in a minute.

[They] will be discussing the programme for the concert.

Topic 30 Future Continuous Tense

Exercise 175

Fill in the blanks with the Future Continuous Tense.

1. Gui Ing ________________ (give) away the old clothes next Sunday.

2. I _________________ (attend) the meeting at 3 pm today.

3. My grandparents _________________(celebrate) their birthday soon.

4. Mr Chieng _________________ (install) a parabola disk tomorrow.

5. Becky’s uncle _________________(drive) to Kuching next Tuesday.

6. You and Mark_________________(order) some spare parts for the car.

7. Francis and I_________________(explain) the accident to our friends.

8. Tien Tien _________________(learn) sewing, cooking and hair styling.

9. You __________________________ (work) for that company soon.

10. We ___________________ (gather) information about the university.

(You may use Simple Future Tense for some questions.)

Exercise 176

Fill in the blanks with the Future Continuous Tense.

1. Amir _________________ (discuss) the problem with Aminah soon.

2. You _________________(repair) the fence the day after tomorrow.

3. Jean and I____________________(serve) the guests of honour at this time tomorrow.

4. Jenny_________________(direct) the flow of traffic in the school at 8 o'clock tomorrow.

5. They _________________ (hike) in the jungle at 9 o’clock tomorrow.

6. I ________________(trek) with my family at 6 am next Thursday.

7. My mother ________________ (slice) the ham to be served around 6pm tomorrow.

8. We ______________ (prepare) for the examination at this time next month.

Exercise 177

Rewrite the following statements in a Negative form.

1. Tina will be sleeping at 9 pm tomorrow.

__________________________________________________________

2. I shall be weighing the food packages for them at 8 am tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________

3. They will be purchasing some groceries at 9 am tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________

4. You will be picnicking on the beach at 10 am tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________

5. Joseph will be chit-chatting with his classmates at 11 am next Monday.

___________________________________________________________

6. We shall be weeding the school compound at 7 am next Saturday.

______________________________________________________(107)

Exercise 178

Rewrite the following statements in a Question form.

1. They will be taking part in a telematch at 9 am next Saturday.

___________________________________________________________

2. You and Joe will be performing in a martial art demonstration.

___________________________________________________________

3. Amir and I shall be debating in the interschool debate competition.

___________________________________________________________

4. Your aunt will be delivering a speech on ‘Health Awareness’.

___________________________________________________________

5. I shall be adding up the sums of this month expenditure tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________

Exercise 179

Rewrite the following statements in a (a) Negative (b) Question form.

1. You will be roaming the circus at 10 am tomorrow.

a) __________________________________________________________