Future simple and future continuous
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Future simple and continuous PDF exercises
Future simple vs. future continuous tense:
Future continuous PDF exercise 1
- Write what the Scott family will be doing this time on Monday.
Future continuous PDF exercise 2
- Complete sentences with verbs in the box.
Future continuous PDF exercise 3 (questions)
- Make questions with jumbled words.
Future continuous PDF exercise 4 (questions)
- Complete questions with verbs in brackets.
Future continuous PDF exercise 5 (negative)
- A multiple choice test.
Future continuous PDF exercise 6 (negative)
- Rewrite sentences and keep the same meaning.
Online exercises with answers:
Future simple vs. future continuous exercises
Grammar rules PDF:
Future simple and continuous rules PDF Compare the use and forms.
Tenses PDF Grammar rules on all English tenses.
English grammar PDF All PDF grammar rules on this website.
Future simple
The future simple tense is used:
1. To express a general intention.
Derek will quit his job.
We'll fly to Madrid. (short form of will)
They won't come to the party. (short form of will not)
Will you do it for me?
2. For predictions or opinions.
It will rain in the afternoon.
Sarah will not win the race.
We can use the following verbs or adverbs to say that we assume something, but we are not sure: think, be sure, hope, believe, suppose, perhaps, possibly, probably, surely.
He'll probably do a degree in biology.
I don't think she'll refuse your proposal.
3. For a decision or offer made at the moment of speaking.
Can I help you with the luggage? - No, thank you. I'll carry it on my own.
Please, invite Peter to the meeting. - O.K. I'll tell him.
But: I am going to meet Marion. Shall say hello to her?
(Going to shows our decision made before the moment of speaking.)
Future continuous
The future continuous tense is used:
1. For activities that will be in progress at a point of time. The action will start before that point of time and will continue after it.
At 8 o'clock I will be driving to Devon.
This time tomorrow we'll be hiking in the mountains.
(The point of time is given by a time expression.)
You will be in London. Will you be shopping?
I'll be working on the project when you come back.
(The point of time is given by another action.)
2. If we refer to routine activities. It describes the idea that an action will happen in the normal course of events.
They'll be practising on Friday. (They normally practise on Fridays.)
Everybody will be using a smartphone sooner or later. (If nothing special happens.)
Note
We can also use present tenses to express future. But they have a different meaning.
Compare:
Present continuous:
I am seeing John tonight. (I have some reason. We have arranged the time and place.)
Future continuous:
I'll be seeing John tonight. (It's Saturday and we always meet to have a chat.)
Remember:
In some cases we can use several forms. But each of them will have a slightly different meaning.
I'll be meeting Mr. Hawkins tomorrow morning. (We have meetings every morning.)
I'll meet Mr. Hawkins tomorrow morning. (I intend to meet him or I suppose that I will meet him.)
I'm going to meet Mr. Hawkins tomorrow morning. (I decided to meet him some time ago and now I am expressing my intention.)
I'm meeting Mr. Hawkins tomorrow morning. (We have arranged the time and place because we have some reason to meet.
Our tip:
- All PDF exercises and grammar rules from this website.