Korean Grammar Bank

KOREAN FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

The Future Progressive Tense in Korean is used to describe an action that will be in progress at a certain point in the future.

This tense is formed using “고 있을 것이다” and is often used to emphasize the continuation or ongoing nature of an action that will happen.

It is similar to the English structure “will be -ing.”

COMPONENTS OF 고 있을 것이다

The phrase “고 있을 것이다” is composed of:

  • : a connective ending indicating the continuation of an action.
  • 있다: a verb meaning “to be,” indicating the state of doing something.
  • 을 것이다: a phrase that indicates the future tense, meaning “will.”

STRUCTURE WITH 고 있을 것이다

To form the Future Progressive Tense in Korean, follow this structure:

PATTERN

Verb Stem + 고 있을 것이다

This construction is flexible and can be adapted to both informal and formal speech. When using honorifics, replace “있을 것이다” with “계실 것이다.”

Informal form

가다
to go
가고 있을 거야
gago isseul geoya
“will be going”

Polite form

먹다
to eat
먹고 있을 거예요
meokgo isseul geoyeyo
“will be eating”

Honorific form

읽다
to read
읽고 계실 것입니다
ilkgo gyesil geosimnida
“will be reading”

USAGES OF FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

The Future Progressive Tense is used in several contexts:

To describe an action that will be in progress at a specific future time:

내일 이 시간에 저는 책을 읽고 있을 거예요.I will be reading a book at this time tomorrow.

To predict an ongoing action or event in the future:

친구들이 도착할 때쯤 우리는 요리하고 있을 것입니다.We will be cooking when our friends arrive.

To emphasize the continuity of an action in the future:

학생들이 오후에 도서관에서 공부하고 있을 거예요.The students will be studying in the library in the afternoon.

To politely inquire or make suggestions about future plans:

내일 오후에 뭐 하고 있을 거예요?What will you be doing tomorrow afternoon?

EXAMPLES

Below are detailed examples of using “고 있을 것이다” in various contexts, with both standard and honorific forms:

Action in Progress내일 이 시간에 저는 수영장에서 수영하고 있을 거예요I will be swimming at the pool at this time tomorrow
Predicted Ongoing Action영업 팀은 오후에도 여전히 회의를 하고 있을 것입니다The sales team will still be having a meeting in the afternoon.
Emphasizing Continuity우리는 밤새도록 문제 해결을 위해 노력하고 있을 거예요.We will be working all night to solve the problem.
Honorific Usage선생님께서는 내일 오후 학교에 계실 것 입니다The teacher will be at school tomorrow afternoon
Making Suggestions오후에 같이 산책하고 있을까요?Shall we be taking a walk together in the afternoon?

NEGATIVE FORM 고 있지 않을 것이다

To express the negative form of the Future Progressive Tense in Korean, you use “고 있지 않을 것이다” instead of “고 있을 것이다.”

This structure is used to indicate that an action will not be in progress at a certain point in the future.

PATTERN

Verb Stem + 고 있지 않을 것이다

For honorific forms, “계시지 않을 것이다” can be used instead of “있지 않을 것이다.”

Action Not in Progress at a Specific Future Time: 내일 이 시간에 저는 책을 읽고 있지 않을 거예요. I will not be reading a book at this time tomorrow.
Predicted Action Not Happening in the Future: 친구들이 도착할 때쯤 우리는 요리하고 있지 않을 charset="utf-8"> We will not be cooking when our friends arrive.
Emphasizing Discontinuation of Future Action: 학생들이 오후에 도서관에서 공부하고 있지 않을 charset="utf-8"> The students will not be studying in the library in the afternoon.
Future Action Not Taking Place in Honorific Form: 선생님께서는 내일 오후 학교에 계시지 않을 charset="utf-8"> The teacher will not be at school tomorrow afternoon.
Making Negative Suggestions About Future Actions: 오후에 같이 산책하고 있지 charset="utf-8"> Shall we not be taking a walk together in the afternoon?
Describing Future Actions Not Being Done by Others: 영업 팀은 오후에도 회의를 하고 있지 않을 것입니다. The sales team will not be having a meeting in the afternoon.

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FAQs

How to form the future progressive tense?

To form the future progressive, add -고 있을 거예요 to the verb stem (e.g., 읽다 → 읽고 있을 거예요 for “will be reading”).

Can future progressive be used in formal contexts?

Yes, in formal contexts, use -고 있을 것입니다.

How to make future progressive negative?

Add before -고 있을 거예요 or use -지 않고 있을 거예요 (e.g., 안 읽고 있을 거예요 for “will not be reading”).

What difference between future and future progressive?

Future tense refers to a single future event, while future progressive emphasizes an action that will be ongoing at a future point.

Where to find more lessons like this?

You can visit our Korean Grammar Bank for more lessons on levels A1, A2, B1 and B2.

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