Future Continuous 2: Asking About Expected Plans

← Grammar Hub
B2On my own or with a tutor

Future Continuous 2: Asking About Expected Plans

In this lesson, you can form an enquiry about an expected future activity.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Before you start

Ask whether someone expects to use their car tomorrow.

See one possible response

Will you be using your car tomorrow?

A shared studio has limited equipment. People need to find out about expected use before deciding what to request.

What you will practise
  • Form an enquiry about an expected future activity.
  • Distinguish an expected-plan enquiry from a willingness request in context.
  • Use plan information to make a separate, clear follow-up request.

Try first. For open responses, a model is one valid answer, not an exact-string key. Preserve the intended meaning and register.

Ask about the expected course of events

Will you be using the camera tomorrow? can ask about what the listener expects to be doing. The form is will + subject + be + -ing. It often frames the activity as part of an expected schedule rather than asking the listener to agree to a new action.

Will you be using the large camera on Saturday?

Will the technicians be working in this room after lunch?

She asks Steve about his existing photography plan while he holds a camera bag beside a folded tripod. Her gesture is curious and neutral, not an order or demand; the tripod has not been packed yet.
Will you be bringing a tripod?In this context, the question enquires about an existing plan.

Separate plans from willingness

Compare Will you be bringing a tripod? with Will you bring a tripod, please? In a suitable context, the first asks about an expected plan; the second asks the person to do something. These are tendencies, not a promise that the grammar alone determines the speech act.

Will you be driving to the studio, or taking the train?

Will you drive me to the studio, please?

Answer first, negotiate second

Give the requested plan information, then negotiate any change explicitly. No, I won’t be using it leaves room for a separate borrowing request. An affirmative plan answer is not consent to lend, drive or change an arrangement. Context and wording, not tense alone, determine the effect.

No, I won’t be using the lights. Would you like to borrow them?

Yes, I’ll be working there until three. Could we meet afterwards?

A plan answer and an offer do different jobs

No, I won’t be using it.plan informationYou can borrow it.separate permission
The first answer supplies the expected plan. The separate offer gives permission; the plan answer alone does not.
She politely asks Steve to bring the tripod, extending an inviting open hand towards it while he acknowledges the request. Retain the bag and tripod, without asserting that he has brought it already.
Will you bring a tripod, please?The please wording helps establish a request.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.

1. Ask about expected use: ___ you ___ using the meeting room at two?

Compare a model and explanation

Will you be using the meeting room at two?

The future continuous needs will plus be plus using.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

2. Order the words: be / where / will / staying / you / next week?

Compare a model and explanation

Where will you be staying next week?

Place the question word first, then will, subject, be and -ing.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

3. You are checking arrangements, not asking someone to change them. Ask whether they expect to bring their laptop.

Compare a model and explanation

Will you be bringing your laptop?

The question presents bringing it as a possible existing plan.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

4. The listener has no plan to carry the display. Ask them to carry it as a favour.

Compare a model and explanation

Will you carry the display for me, please?

This explicitly asks for a new action. Could you carry it is another natural request.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

5. Will you be using this chair? is asked while the speaker points to it and reaches towards it. Is a request to take it possible?

Compare a model and explanation

Yes. The context can make the plan enquiry an indirect request.

The future continuous does not force a purely informational interpretation.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

6. Someone asks Will you be working here tonight? Reply that you will, without promising to help them.

Compare a model and explanation

Yes, I’ll be working here tonight.

A statement about your plan does not itself offer assistance.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

7. Your colleague will not be using the printer. Ask separately for permission to use it.

Compare a model and explanation

Could I use the printer, then?

The follow-up makes permission explicit instead of assuming it.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

8. A friend will be driving to a rehearsal. You need a lift, but they have not offered one. Produce a plan check and a separate request.

Compare a model and explanation

Will you be driving to the rehearsal? Could you give me a lift?

The two questions separate expected action from the requested favour.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

A short conversation

Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.

Open the conversation transcript

Photographer: Will you be using the portable lights on Friday?

Assistant: Only in the morning. I’ll be packing them away at noon.

Photographer: Could I borrow them for the afternoon session?

Assistant: Yes. Please collect them after twelve.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.

1. What is the stated purpose of the question?
Read the listening transcript

Will you be using your bike tomorrow? Yes, I’ll be cycling to work. I’m only checking because I’m making space in the garage.

2. Which part is the explicit favour request?
Read the listening transcript

Will you be driving to the hall? Yes. Could you take the poster tubes with you, please?

3. What has the second speaker confirmed?
Read the listening transcript

Will you be working at home on Monday? Yes, but I won’t be free to help with the delivery.

Answer key with explanations

  1. What is the stated purpose of the question?

    Checking the expected use to plan garage space.: The final sentence states this purpose explicitly.

    Compare all choices
    • Requesting permission to borrow the bike.: No borrowing request is made; a different purpose is stated.
    • Asking the listener to stop cycling.: The speaker does not ask for a changed plan.
    • Checking the expected use to plan garage space.: The final sentence states this purpose explicitly.

  2. Which part is the explicit favour request?

    The question about taking the poster tubes.: That question asks for an additional action.

    Compare all choices
    • The question about taking the poster tubes.: That question asks for an additional action.
    • The first question necessarily requests a lift.: The context proceeds to a different explicit favour.
    • The word yes.: Yes answers the driving question and does not make a request.

  3. What has the second speaker confirmed?

    A work location, not availability to help.: The second clause explicitly rules out help with the delivery.

    Compare all choices
    • Agreement to receive the delivery.: The speaker says they will not be free to help.
    • A work location, not availability to help.: The second clause explicitly rules out help with the delivery.
    • That Monday is a day off.: They say they will be working.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. Choose the complete expected-plan question.
2. Ask where two visitors expect to stay.
3. You are checking whether someone already plans to carry a camera; you are not asking for a favour. Which wording best makes that framing clear?
4. You need someone to do a new favour. Which is an explicit request?
5. A person answers Yes, I’ll be driving. What does this alone establish?
6. Which claim about future continuous questions is accurate?
7. Your friend will use a stand until six. Which borrowing request respects that information?
8. A colleague says they will not use a room. You still need permission to book it. Choose the clear next step.
Answer key with explanations

  1. Choose the complete expected-plan question.

    Will you be staying late?: Will + subject + be + -ing forms the question.

    Compare all choices
    • Will you staying late?: Be is missing.
    • Will you be staying late?: Will + subject + be + -ing forms the question.
    • Will be you staying late?: The subject belongs between will and be.

  2. Ask where two visitors expect to stay.

    Where will they be staying?: The question keeps the full auxiliary sequence and correct order.

    Compare all choices
    • Where they will be staying?: This has embedded-clause order, not the requested direct-question order.
    • Where will they staying?: Be is missing before staying.
    • Where will they be staying?: The question keeps the full auxiliary sequence and correct order.

  3. You are checking whether someone already plans to carry a camera; you are not asking for a favour. Which wording best makes that framing clear?

    Will you be bringing your camera as planned?: As planned explicitly marks the expected arrangement.

    Compare all choices
    • Will you be bringing your camera as planned?: As planned explicitly marks the expected arrangement.
    • Please bring your camera for me.: This asks for an action rather than checks a plan.
    • You must bring your camera.: This imposes a requirement, not an enquiry.

  4. You need someone to do a new favour. Which is an explicit request?

    Will you open the side door for us, please?: The action and beneficiary make the requested favour explicit.

    Compare all choices
    • Will the door be open as usual?: This asks about an expected state, not explicitly for someone to open it.
    • Will you open the side door for us, please?: The action and beneficiary make the requested favour explicit.
    • I expect the door will be open.: This predicts a state rather than directly requests action.

  5. A person answers Yes, I’ll be driving. What does this alone establish?

    Their stated travel plan.: A plan answer does not automatically grant a lift.

    Compare all choices
    • Permission for you to use their car.: No permission is expressed.
    • A promise to collect you.: No collection promise is made.
    • Their stated travel plan.: A plan answer does not automatically grant a lift.

  6. Which claim about future continuous questions is accurate?

    They can frame an enquiry around an expected activity, but context still matters.: Grammar and context jointly shape interpretation.

    Compare all choices
    • They can frame an enquiry around an expected activity, but context still matters.: Grammar and context jointly shape interpretation.
    • They can never function as indirect requests.: In context, such questions can imply a request.
    • They are always polite.: Politeness is not guaranteed by tense alone.

  7. Your friend will use a stand until six. Which borrowing request respects that information?

    Could I borrow it after six?: The request follows the stated period of use.

    Compare all choices
    • I’ll take it at five, then.: Five conflicts with the stated use and assumes agreement.
    • Could I borrow it after six?: The request follows the stated period of use.
    • Thanks for promising it to me all day.: No all-day promise was given.

  8. A colleague says they will not use a room. You still need permission to book it. Choose the clear next step.

    Could I book it for my session?: This requests permission rather than assuming it.

    Compare all choices
    • You must cancel your session.: There is no stated session to cancel.
    • You have booked it for me.: Non-use does not establish a booking on your behalf.
    • Could I book it for my session?: This requests permission rather than assuming it.

Use it in your own words

Check a schedule

Ask three questions about expected equipment use, travel or location next week.

Reveal a possible response

Will you be using the projector on Tuesday? Where will you be working on Wednesday? Will you be travelling by train on Friday?

  • My questions include be and -ing.
  • I make the relevant time or arrangement clear.

Use future continuous for expected activities. Your own plausible schedule is welcome.

Separate an enquiry from a favour

You need a display board moved. First check a colleague’s expected journey, then explicitly ask for help.

Reveal a possible response

Will you be driving past the community centre? Could you take the display board there for me?

  • I ask for plan information first.
  • I do not treat the plan as consent.

Other request forms are acceptable when the distinction remains clear.

Put it all together

You are arranging access to a rehearsal space, not studio equipment. Build a four-turn exchange: expected plan, qualified answer, follow-up request and clear response.

Reveal a possible response

Will you be rehearsing here tomorrow evening? Yes, until seven. Could our group use the room after that? Certainly, but please check the booking desk first.

  • The enquiry concerns an expected activity.
  • The request respects the answer.
  • Consent or a remaining condition is explicit.

Include a realistic restriction. Do not assume that a plan answer grants permission.

Take it with you

Future continuous can enquire about an expected course of events. It is not identical to asking willingness or making a request. Context and wording, not tense alone, shape politeness.