The future continuous tense is used to talk about ongoing actions or events that will happen in the future. It expresses the idea that something will be happening at a specific point or during a specific period of time in the future.
To form the future continuous tense, we use the auxiliary verb “will be” followed by the base form of the main verb plus the suffix “-ing.”
(A) Spelling rules for creating “ing form” of verb:
(1) Regular Verbs:
For regular verbs, simply add “-ing” to the base form of the verb.
Example:
- talk + ing = talking
- play + ing = playing
- cook + ing = cooking
- dance + ing = dancing
- sing + ing = singing
(2) Verbs ending in “e”:
If a verb ends in “e,” drop the “e” and add “-ing” to form the present participle.
Example:
- bake – e + ing = baking
- ride – e + ing = riding
- smile -e + ing = smiling
- hike – e + ing = hiking
- dive – e + ing = diving
(3) Verbs with “ee” or “oe” at the end:
If a verb ends with “ee” or “oe,” add “-ing” without any changes.
Example:
- agree + ing = agreeing
- flee + ing = fleeing
- hoe + ing = hoeing
- pee + ing = peeing
- foresee + ing = foreseeing
(4) Verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern:
If a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern and is stressed on the final syllable, double the final consonant before adding “-ing.”
Example:
- swim + m + ing = swimming
- cut + t + ing = cutting
- sit + t + ing = sitting
- get + t + ing = getting
- put + t + ing = putting
(5) Verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y”:
For verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y,” simply add “ing” to form the past continuous tense.
Examples:
- Bow + ing = Bowing
- Mix + ing = Mixing
- Play + ing = Playing
- Enjoy + ing = Enjoying
- Employ + ing = Employing
(6) Verbs ending in “ie”:
If a verb ends in “ie,” change the “ie” to “y” and add “-ing.”
Example:
- die – ie + y + ing = dying
- tie – ie + y + ing = tying
- lie – ie + y + ing = lying
- vie – ie + y + ing = vying
- untie – ie + y + ing = untying
(7) Verbs ending in “y”:
If a verb ends in “y” and the “y” is preceded by a consonant, simply add “-ing” to create the “-ing” form.
Example:
- try + ing = trying
- fly + ing = flying
- carry + ing = carrying
- cry + ing = crying
- apply + ing = applying