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 emphasise 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

• Where do you expect to see yourself in five years, Jane?
• 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.
• So, over the next four months your work will be being inspected,³ does it make you somewhat nervous?
• Yes, it certainly does! But, it’s always good to have an incentive to work harder so I’m happy as well.
• I’m sure you are. Good luck and all the best to you.
• 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’. 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.

See also