Future continuous passive voice

There are several reasons why we use the passive voice in English. In these notes, we are
going to focus on the future continuous in the passive voice. Generally, we use the
passive voice when the focus is on the action and NOT on WHO or WHAT is performing
the action.

Future continuous passive voice construction: will + be + being + past participle.

Example verb: to invest in

I will be being invested in We will be being invested in

You will be being invested in You (guys) will be being invested in

He/she/it will be being invested in They will be being invested in

The agent is unknown. We don’t know who or what is the agent

 One way or another the dishes will be being washed tonight by someone.

We use the passive to emphasize the subject

 Maria and Joseph will be being taken care of by their auntie during the Christmas
holidays.

We use the passive to talk about general truths

 The laws of physics will be being used by all scientists.

 We can use the passive if we want to be unclear or vague about the subject

 New arrivals will be being delivered to their new homes upon arrival this evening.

We use the passive when the subject is irrelevant

(We don’t care who or what has caused the action to be).

 Plants all across Europe will be being built over the course of the next five years.
We use the passive in a more formal atmosphere like a thesis or an important
piece of writing, especially scientifically speaking

 By the time the oxygen levels reach their highest point, the related substances will
be being inserted into the mix.
Future continuous passive voice with context and analysis

Construction: will + be + being + past participle (washed, explained).

Example verb: to explore

I will be being explored We will be being explored

You will be being explored You (guys) will be being explored

He/she/it will be being explored They will be being explored

Context

o Where do you expect to see yourself in five years, Jane?

o Well, as of now, I’m working for an insurance company1 and next year the employees of
the company will be being looked at over the next four months2 in order to decide who
will get a raise and a higher position in the company.
o So, over the next four months your work will be being inspected,3 does it make you
somewhat nervous?
o Yes, it certainly does! But, it’s always good to have an incentive to work harder so I’m
happy as well.
o I’m sure you are. Good luck and all the best to you.
o Thanks.

Analysis

1. I’m working for an insurance company. The present continuous (active voice) is used
because it describes a permanent state. We use the present continuous and present
simple to talk about permanent and temporary states.
2. The employees of the company will be being looked at over the next four months. ‘Will be
being looked at’ is the future continuous in the passive voice. The focus is on the action of
the employees ‘being looked at’. Although this structure is syntactically correct, the
future continuous in the passive voice is not widely used.
3. Over the next four months, your work will be being inspected. ‘Will be being inspected’ is
the future continuous in the passive voice. The future continuous is primarily associated
with actions that happen over a duration of time in the future