Page 37 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

F u t u r e c o n t i n u o u s ( w i l l b e d o i n g )
continuous
Future
(will
doing)
be
use will be + -ing (the future continuous) when we talk about an activity or event going on at a
We
We use will be + -ing (the future continuous) when we talk about an activity or event going on at a
in the future:
particular time or over a particular period
particular time or over a particular period in the future:
Next Friday, the President will be celebrating ten years in power.
О 9 • ° 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.
• . • * 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.
• * After the operation you won't be doing any sport for a while.
will be saying more about that topic in my next lecture.
• * I I will be saying more about that topic in my next lecture.
future continuous we normally mention the future time (Next Friday etc.).
With the
With the future continuous we normally mention the future time (Next Friday etc.).
also use the future continuous when the future activity or event is the result of a previous
We
We also use the future continuous when the future activity or event is the result of a previous
decision or arrangement:
decision or arrangement:
He will be taking up his place at university in July, (the result of a previous decision)
• * He will be taking up his place at university inJuly. (the result of a previous decision)
will be performing every day until the end of the month, (part of a schedule)
• * She will be performing every day until the end of themonth. (part of a schedule)
She
activity:
or of a routine
or of a routine activity:
going to my brother's house again for Christmas, (we always go there)
• * We'll
We'll be be going to my brother's house again for Christmas. (we always go there)
seeing Tony on Tuesday. That's when we usually meet.
I'll be be seeing Tony on Tuesday. That's when we usually meet.
• ¢ I'll
Future continuous and present continuous for the future
Future continuous and present continuous for the future
often use either the future continuous or the present continuous when we talk about
We can
We can often use either the future continuous or the present continuous when we talk about
(see also Unit 12):
planned activities or events in the future (see also Unit 12):
planned activities or events in the future
We will be leaving / are leaving for Istanbul at 7.00 in the evening.
• * We will be leaving / are leaving for Istanbul at 7.00 in the evening.
Professor Hodge will be giving / is giving the first presentation at the conference.
• * Professor Hodge will be giving / is giving the first presentation at the conference.
prefer the present continuous to talk about surprising or unexpected activities or events:
But we prefer the present continuous to talk about surprising or unexpected activities or events:
But we
you heard the news? Dr Radford is leaving! (rather than ...will be leaving.)
• * Have you heard the news? Dr Radford is leaving! (rather than ...will be leaving.)
Have
Future continuous and will
Future continuous and will
use of will and the future continuous in these sentences:
Compare the
Compare the use of will and the future continuous in these sentences:

Ann will help us organise the party. Ann will be helping us to organise the party.
• ¢ Ann will help us organise the party. • ¢ Ann will be helping us to organise the party.
(= she is willing to help) (= a previous arrangement)
(= she is willing to help)
(= a previous arrangement)
Will you come to the concert? Will you be coming to the concert?
• * Will you come to the concert? • * Will you becoming to the concert?
(= an invitation) (= asking about a possible previous arrangement)
(= an invitation)
(= asking about a possible previous arrangement)
We'll join you in half an hour. We'll be joining you in half an hour.
• ¢ We'll join you in half an hour. • * We'll be joining you in half an hour.
(= a previous arrangement)
(= I have just decided) (= a previous arrangement)
(= I have just decided)

use the future continuous, we are often referring simply to some future event or action
{$>When we use the future continuous, we are often referring simply to some future event or action
@When we
been previously arranged. However, we use will, not the future continuous, to talk about
*that has
*that has been previously arranged. However, we use will, not the future continuous, to talk about
inviting, promising, etc.
such things as decisions that people have made, willingness to do things, inviting, promising, etc.
such things as decisions that people have made, willingness to do things,
Will: willingness > starting use going to be + ing rather than the future continuous to ask about plans
for the
future to
will or the present continuous
use the
future continuous rather than
You can
You can use the future continuous rather than will or the present continuous for the future to
ask about people's plans.
if you
are
asking about
For example,
sound particularly polite when you ask about people's plans. For example, if you are asking about
sound particularly polite when you
difficult.
ask them to do something unexpected or
Compare:
their plans because you want to
their plans because you want to ask them to do something unexpected or difficult. Compare:
the room
on
work
you
today?
and
Are you starting work on the room today? and
• ¢
Are
You
starting work on the room today?
use it for a meeting tomorrow.
see,
I hope to
Will you be starting work on the room today? You see, I hope to use it for a meeting tomorrow.
• ¢
Will you be
and
baby-sit?
time
are
you
coming
to
What time are you coming to baby-sit? and
What
• *
What time will you be coming to baby-sit? We have to be at the theatre by 7 o'clock.
• *
What time will you be coming to baby-sit? We have to be at the theatre by 7 o'clock.
possible to
often
It is is often possible to use going to be + ing rather than the future continuous to ask about plans
It
a particularly polite way:
in in a particularly polite way:
Are you going to be starting work on the room today?
• ¢
Are you going to be starting work on the room today?
11ЯПЕП
Will: willingness => Ptnital