Tense - Future Perfect

Future Perfect Simple is a tense used to describe actions or events that will be completed before a specific point or another action in the future.

Basic Formulation:

Future Perfect Simple is formed using the modal auxiliary verb "will" followed by "have" and the past participle form of the main verb.

For example:

  • By next year, I will have graduated from university.
  • By the time you arrive, she will have finished her work.
  • By the end of the month, they will have completed the project.

Subject-Verb Agreement:

"Will" remains the same for all subjects. There's no change based on the subject in Future Perfect Simple tense.

For example:

  • I will have graduated from university.
  • She will have finished her work.
  • They will have completed the project.

Completion Before a Specific Point in the Future:

Future Perfect Simple is used to express the completion of an action or event before a specific point or another action in the future. It emphasizes that the action will be finished by that time.

For example:

  • By next year, I will have graduated from university. (The graduation will be completed before next year.)

  • By the time you arrive, she will have finished her work. (The work will be completed before you arrive.)

  • By the end of the month, they will have completed the project. (The project will be completed before the end of the month.)

Signal Words:

Certain adverbs or adverbial phrases can indicate the usage of Future Perfect Simple, such as "by," "by the time," "before," "by next week/month/year," etc.

Narrating Sequences of Events:

Future Perfect Simple is often used in storytelling or narrating sequences of events to describe an action that will be completed before another future event.

For example:

  • By the time they arrive at the airport, the plane will have taken off.
  • Before the meeting starts, she will have finished her presentation.
  • By the time the party begins, they will have decorated the venue.


Constructing the future perfect simple tense in English involves using the auxiliary verb "will have" followed by the past participle form of the main verb. Here's how to construct the future perfect simple tense:

For Most Verbs:

Use the auxiliary verb "will have" + the past participle form of the main verb.

Example: "I will have finished my homework by tomorrow."

Negative Sentences:

Add "not" after the auxiliary verb "will" to form the negative.

Example: "She will not (won't) have completed the task by then."

Interrogative (Question) Sentences:

Invert the subject and the auxiliary verb "will" to form the question.

Example: "Will they have arrived by the time we get there?"

Use of the Past Participle:

The past participle form of regular verbs is typically formed by adding "-ed" to the base form of the verb (e.g., finished, completed, studied).
Irregular verbs have unique past participle forms that must be memorized (e.g., gone, eaten, taken).

Use with Time Expressions:

Time expressions indicating future time frames are commonly used with the future perfect simple tense to specify when an action will be completed.

Examples: by tomorrow, by next week, by the time

Use to Describe Actions Completed Before a Future Point:

The future perfect simple tense is used to describe actions that will be completed before a specific point or action in the future.

Example: "By the time you arrive, I will have finished cooking dinner."

Use to Express Predictions or Expectations about Future Events:

The future perfect simple tense can be used to predict or speculate about future events that will have been completed by a certain time.

Example: "By next year, they will have achieved their goals."

Use to Indicate Duration of an Action up to a Future Point:

The future perfect simple tense can indicate the duration of an action that will have been ongoing up to a specific future point.

Example: "By the end of the month, she will have been living in the city for five years."



Remember to use the auxiliary verb "will have" according to the subject, followed by the past participle form of the main verb. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement and use auxiliary verbs correctly in negative and interrogative sentences.


Mastering the future perfect simple tense enables to accurately describe actions or events that will be completed before a future point in time, make predictions or expectations about future achievements, provide context for future narratives, and express hypothetical future conditions. It enhances communication skills and enables speakers to convey nuanced meanings related to future events with clarity and precision. Understanding and knowing how to use the future perfect simple tense is valuable for several reasons:


Describing Actions Completed Before a Future Point in Time:
The future perfect simple tense is primarily used to describe actions that will be completed before a specific point or action in the future.

Example: "By tomorrow, I will have finished my project."


Expressing Predictions or Expectations about Future Events:
The future perfect simple tense can be used to predict or speculate about future events that will have been completed by a certain time.

Example: "I'm sure they will have arrived by the time we get there."


Talking about Future Achievements or Accomplishments:
The future perfect simple tense is used to discuss future achievements or accomplishments that will have been realized by a certain point in time.

Example: "By the end of the year, she will have graduated from university."


Indicating Duration of an Action up to a Future Point:
The future perfect simple tense can indicate the duration of an action that will have been ongoing up to a specific future point.

Example: "By next month, he will have been working at the company for ten years."


Providing Background Information in Future Narratives:
The future perfect simple tense can be used to provide background information or context for future events in narratives or storytelling.

Example: "By the time he arrives, she will have already left."


Forming Hypothetical Future Conditions:
The future perfect simple tense is used to form hypothetical conditions in future contexts, expressing what would have been completed if certain conditions were met.

Example: "If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam by now."


Adding Depth and Precision to Future Statements: Knowing how to use the future perfect simple tense allows speakers to add depth and precision to their language use when discussing future events or actions, providing a clear indication of completion before a specific point in the future.


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