Future continuous use for politeness

The future continuous has a special use which is sometimes called the ‘future as a matter of course’

use. This means that something will happen if things are normal and if the future is how we expect it

to be.

We have this special use because 'will + infinitive' has a modal meaning as well as a future meaning.

'I will' can mean 'I want to' and 'I won't can mean 'I refuse to'.

• I won’t be coming (neutral).

• I won’t come (this might mean ‘I refuse to come’).

This use of the future continuous is very helpful when you want to ask a polite question. It doesn’t

talk about the other person’s intention, just about what’s going to happen in the world if things are

normal.

• When will you be paying back the money?

• When will you be leaving?

We don't usually worry about this with objects.

• When will the plane leave?

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Let's review!

Choose the future continuous (will + be + verb+ing) if it's the kind of situation where you might need

to be polite and the future simple (will + infinitive), if you don't need to worry about politeness.

1. When ____________________________________ (the train / leave)?

2. ____________________________________ (you / come) to the meeting? (You're my boss.)

3. When ____________________________________ (you leave)?

4. ____________________________________ (it / rain) today?

5. What time ____________________________________ (the boss / arrive)?

6. ____________________________________ (you / have) dinner here?

7. How long ____________________________________ (the lesson / take)?

8. ____________________________________ (our football team / win)?

9. ____________________________________ (you / drive) to the station? (I'm about to ask for

a lift.)

10. ____________________________________ (the cat / want) food?

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Answers

1. When will the train leave?

2. Will you be coming to the meeting?

3. When will you be leaving?

4. Will it rain today?

5. What time will the boss be arriving?

6. Will you be having dinner here?

7. How long will the lesson take?

8. Will our football team win?

9. Will you be driving to the station?

10. Will the cat want food?

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