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Future perfect English. Future Perfect Tense is the future perfect tense in English. Interrogative sentences Future Perfect – Question Sentences

This article is dedicated to those who have reached a certain point. The Future Perfect is rarely used, but it adds zest to the speaker’s speech and makes it clear to the interlocutor that his knowledge of English grammar is simply excellent. This grammatical tense belongs to the category of complex future tenses and is used only in certain cases. The main condition for use is the end of the action by a specified date in the future.

Use of the Future Perfect

In English grammar, this aspectual-temporal form refers to perfect (perfect) tenses. The Future Perfect form is a tense identical to the Past Perfect, only for the future. The Future Perfect tense speaks of any action that will begin in the future and end by a certain date. future perfect examples

Indicators of the future perfect tense are certain indicator words. As mentioned above, if we want to express the completion of an action and situation at a certain moment, we use the Future Perfect. Examples of indicators for this time:

  • by (to a certain point in the future);
  • by the time (by a certain time);
  • by then (until that time);
  • by tomorrow (until tomorrow);
  • before (before), until/till (before/before).

Untill and till are used exclusively in negatives. When is also a pointer.

Future Perfect: example sentences and usage

Let's look at the cases where this tense is used.

He plans to resign from work in a year. He will have worked for 6 years for this organization by then. - He plans to quit his job in a year. By then he will have worked in this organization for six years.

It should be remembered that after using the conjunctions when, before, until/till, the present tense is used, even if the situation itself in the Russian translation is described in the future tense. This is a feature of the Future perfect. Examples with translation into Russian are presented below.

She won't have stopped quarelling until we agree with her. “She won’t stop quarreling until we agree with her.”

Sam will have sold an old lorry before his mother returns from a trip to Alaska. - Sam will sell the old truck before his mother returns from her trip to Alaska.

Future Perfect Education Formula

The formula for forming the future perfect tense is quite simple: subject + verb will have + verb with (if it is regular) or the third type of irregular verb.

I/You/He/She/We/They + will have + semantic verb in the third form (which carries a semantic load).

This is the general scheme of Future perfect education. Examples of sentence construction:

  • I will have redone this work by the time he arrives. I'll have this job done by the time he arrives.
  • Zak will have visited his granny by the end of spring. Zack will visit his grandmother before the end of spring.

Comparative analysis of Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous: examples of use

Often, students of English are faced with the question: which tense to choose, Future Perfect or Future Perfect Continuous?

The future perfect continuous tense is the rarest tense in the language. It has one single function and is practically not used in the speech of native speakers. English and Americans usually use the future simple or continuous tense and other constructions to express future actions, which English abounds in. However, in one exceptional case it is necessary to use the Future Perfect Continuous. Let's consider it in detail.

This aspect-temporal form describes a situation that will begin earlier than another action in the future and will last at that moment. Using this tense, the emphasis is placed on the fact that the action will continue at some point.

  • We will have been studying maths for 5 years next month. - We will start studying mathematics for 5 years next month.
  • By the first of April we will have been preparing for an exam for a year. - On the first of April it will be a year since we are preparing for the exam.

It should be remembered that after by, when and some other conjunctions the future tense is not used. It is replaced by the present time. In the affirmative form of the perfect continuous tense, to be is used in the aspect-temporal form of the Future Perfect and a basic semantic verb, to which the so-called “ing” ending is added. Thus, unlike the future perfect tense, the emphasis here is on the duration of the action. Also, the second distinctive feature of a long time is that one situation occurs before another and will occur in some time period or moment.

Future Perfect Tense (pronounced future perfect tens) is translated into Russian as the future perfect tense. Future Perfect Tense is one of four existing futures.


This tense is used quite rarely, but denotes a certain action that must be completed before a certain moment/the beginning of another action in the future or will continue after it.

Education Future Perfect

The Future perfect tense can be formed in two ways:

Using the auxiliary verb will or using the construction be going to. Future Perfect differs from Future Simple in that here the two are used interchangeably.

1. will have + pr. past tense (irregular verb (3rd form) or regular verb ending -ed)

You will have perfected your Finnish by the time you come back from the Finland - You will have learned Finnish perfectly by the time you return from Finland.
Clare will have finished her homework by the time her brother Bob gets home - Clare will finish her homework by the time her brother Bob gets home.

2. be + going to have + pr. past tense (irregular verb in 3rd form or regular verb ending -ed)

You are going to have perfected your Finnish by the time you come back from the Finland. – You will learn Finnish perfectly by the time you return from Finland.
Clare is going to have finished her homework by the time her brother Bob gets home - Clare will finish her homework by the time her brother Bob gets home.

Negative Sentences in Future Perfect

You can make a negative sentence in the future perfect tense by adding the negative particle not to the auxiliary verb will:

Statement: She will have learned every road sign - She will learn every road sign.
Negation: She will not have learned every road sign - She will not learn every road sign.
Statement: It will have stopped raining - The rain will stop falling.
Negation: It will not have stopped raining - The rain will not stop falling.

Negation with the construction be going to is constructed by substituting the negative particle not between be and going to:

Statement: They are going to have left Uruguay - They will leave Uruguay.
Negation: They are not going to have left Uruguay - They will not leave Uruguay.
Statement: Guys are going to have met Alexandria - The guys will meet Alexandria.
Negation: Guys are not going to have met Alexandria - The guys will not meet Alexandria.

Word order in a negative sentence:

Subject + will not / be not going to + Have + Action verb + Rest of sentence

Our music teacher will not have retired by next semester – Our music teacher will not retire by next semester.
Our music teacher is not going to have retired by next semester – Our music teacher will not retire by next semester.

Interrogative sentences in the Future Perfect

I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave - I will have been in London for six months by the time I get ready to leave.
By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week - On Monday it will be a week since Susan reads my book.

Complex cases

Like other future tenses, the Future Perfect is not used in sentences that begin with a specification of time:

while – while
when - when
before - before
by the time - by that time
after - after
as soon as - as soon as
if - if
unless - for now
and etc.

In such cases, the Present Perfect is usually used instead of the Future Perfect.

Video about Future Perfect:

Hello my beloved readers.

What do you remember about Future Perfect time? Of course, it’s sad if the pain is not enough, but don’t despair. Today I will remind you of everything. This tense cannot be confused with anything - neither Simple nor Continuous. Because it's special. And I'll tell you why. We are waiting for rules and examples, a couple of useful exercises, and so many useful things that you will not forget about this time.

How is it formed

Let's start, perhaps, by finding out what the Future Perfect Tense looks like in a sentence. The procedure for its formation is very simple. See:

Subject + auxiliary verb will\shall + have + predicate in the 3rd form + object and circumstances.

Let's look at example sentences.

She will have read the book until the end of next week. - By the end of next week she will have finished reading the book.

They will have moved in by Wednesday evening. - They will be moving in by Wednesday evening.

We shall have repaired the car by the end of next week. - By the end of next week we will finish repairing the car.

And in the table you can see how a sentence can change depending on its affirmative, negative or interrogative form.

The negative form is formed by adding a particle not .

Well, to create a question, you just need to move the auxiliary verb will to the first place, leaving everything else in its place.

As I said, there is nothing complicated here. Now that we know what our time looks like, we can move on to practice.

When to use: beginner level

As with any time, Future Perfect has its own indicators, by which it is easy to calculate that this is exactly it.

He will have graduated from school by that time. - By this time he has already finished school.

  • Tense is used mainly when we are talking about an action that starts in the future and ends there.

She will have watched the movie by Saturday evening. - By Saturday evening she will have already watched the film.

They will have opened a brand new factory by the next month. - By next month they will have opened a completely new factory.

  • We can also use the Future Perfect when talking about a situation that continues until a certain time.

This time next week I shall have worked at this factory for 15 years. - At this time next week, I will have been working at this plant for 15 years.

This time tomorrow he will have traveled the world non-stop for 3 years. - Tomorrow at this time he will be traveling around the world non-stop for 3 years.

This time next January I shall have moved to another country. - This time next January I will move to another country.

When to use: Professional level

Using the Future Perfect doesn't become so easy when you reach a high level of English.

  • For those who are far from new to this tense, it will be useful to know: sometimes the Future Perfect can act in the meaning of a modal phrase must have done, the translation of which can be defined as “must be\probably.”

You will have seen what happened to them. “You must have seen what happened to them.”

They will have moved to another city. - They must have moved to another city.

As you probably already guessed, this time does not have many functions. Therefore, it will not be difficult for you to remember it. But it will be extremely useful to consolidate what you have learned. Now you can test your knowledge. and what I have prepared for you. Go through them and share your results in the comments.

And if you have questions, write. I will be happy to answer them. And I will be glad to see the most determined ones among my blog subscribers. You will receive the latest and most useful information from the world of the English language.

And that's all for me.

Until next time, my dear readers.

Affirmative form The Future Perfect is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the simple future tense (Simple Future/Future Indefinite: shall/will have (shall for 1st singular and plural, will for all other singular and plural persons. ) and the past participle (Participle II) of the semantic verb.

shall have, will have + Participle II

I shall have written the letter. I will write a letter.
He will have written the letter. He will write a letter.

IN interrogative form auxiliary verbs shall/will are placed before the subject.

Shall I have written the letter? I will write a letter?
Will he have written the letter? Will he write a letter?

Shall I have cooked? Shall we have cooked?
Will you have cooked? Will you have cooked?
Will he / she / it have cooked? Will they have cooked?

Use

Future Perfect is used:

  • 1. To express an action that has already taken place and will be completed at a certain point in the future. This specific time in the future is indicated by expressions such as: by that time - by that time, by Monday - by Monday, by the end of the month (year, week) - by the end of the month (of the year, weeks).

I shall have read this book by the end of this week. I will read this book by the end of this week.
By the end of the year your little daughter will have broken all your cups. By the end of the year, your little daughter will break all your cups.
The head of the expedition thought, “By the end of the month we shall have spent all our supply of provisions. May be by that time some plane will have found us on this small island." The expedition leader thought: “By the end of the month we will have used up our entire food supply. Perhaps by this time some plane will find us on this small island.”

  • 2. To express an action that will be completed before another action begins in the future. This other action (in a subordinate clause) is expressed through Simple Present/Present Indefinite.

I hope you will have made up your mind when I come back.
I hope you come to some kind of solution when I get back.

Please note:

  • 1. To express a completed action in the future in subordinate clauses of time and condition after the conjunctions when - When,after- after., as soon as - as soon as, till - before, until - until, how (not) if - If Present Perfect is used instead of Future Perfect, and in main sentences Simple Future/Future Indefinite is usually used. When translated into Russian, the verbs of the main and subordinate clauses are translated into verbs in the future tense.

Didn't think, "What shall I tell him when (if) he has asked me about it?”
He thought, “What will I tell him when (if) he asks me about this?”

One of the most difficult tenses in English for a Russian-speaking person is the Future Perfect Continuous Tense. This is due to the fact that there is simply no analogue of the future perfect continuous in Russian. In the Future Perfect Continuous we are always talking about two actions in the future, one of which will begin earlier, but will continue at the time the other occurs. In Russian, this time corresponds to phrases like: “I will have been working on this project for three hours by the time my colleague returns” or “At night I will have already been asleep for two hours when your plane lands.” Of course, Russian people sometimes think in this way, but in general it is not very common for us to compare two actions in the future. However, native English speakers do not refer to this time too often.

In fact, making friends with the Future Perfect Continuous is not at all difficult. After all, there are very few cases of using this tense in English. All you have to do is remember the scheme for constructing sentences with the future perfect continuous. A, which are quite easily recognizable and often intuitive, will help to accurately determine that we are talking about exactly this tense.

In what cases is the Future Perfect Continuous used?

As we have already said, there are very few situations in which we turn to the Future Perfect Continuous, and to be precise, only two:

  1. If we are talking about continuous actions, the duration of which is indicated at a certain point in the future. For example, By the time of his birthday they have been dating for 5 years. - By his birthday they will have been dating for 5 years.
  2. If a long-term action that began earlier will cause a subsequent action in the future. For example, She will be tired when she gets home because she will have been traveling for over 24 hours. - She will be tired when she returns home, because by that time she will have been on the road for more than 24 hours.

It is also important to understand here that if in a subordinate clause in a statement with the Future Perfect Continuous there is a conjunction when (when), then we are turning not to the Future Simple, but to the Present Simple:

When I finish(not I"ll finish) my work she will have been sleeping for over an hour. - When I finish my work, she will have been sleeping for over an hour.

How are sentences constructed in the future perfect continuous tense?

Future Perfect Continuous from the point of view of grammar is a fusion of three tenses: future simple (Future Simple), perfect (Perfect) and simple continuous (Continuous). Therefore, elements of all three of the above English tenses will participate in the formation of this temporary structure. From the future Future Perfect Continuous takes the auxiliary verb will, from the perfect - have been, and from the continuous - the ing form of the semantic verb. We can also say that we obtain the future perfect continuous tense by adding the auxiliary verb to be in the form Future Perfect (will have been) to the semantic verb ending in ing. From here we derive a simple formula for constructing an affirmative sentence in the Future Perfect Continuous:

Subject + will have been + semantic verb ending in ing.

Johnny will have been studying for 3 hours by the time she arrives. - Johnny will have been studying for 3 hours by the time she arrives.

By the end of the year Jane will have been teaching us for 5 years. - By the end of the year, Jane will have been teaching us for 5 years.

By the time she gets here, we will have been working for 12 hours. - By the time she gets here, we will have been working for 12 hours.

At the same time, in most often act as adverbs of time and are placed both at the beginning and at the end of a sentence.

The question is constructed by rearranging the subject and the auxiliary verb will:

Question word (if present) + will + subject + have been + Ving?

Will they have been eating cake for 15 minutes by the time you bring them coffee? - Will they have been eating the cake for 15 minutes by the time you bring them coffee?

Will I have been feeling better by the time the exams start? - Will I feel better by the time the exams start?

Will I have been working for 5 hours when he finds us? - I’ll have been working for 5 hours already, when will he find us?

In order to express any negative thought, you will need to place the negative particle not (in the abbreviated version won"t) between will and have been:

Subject + will + not + have been + Ving.

By the end of the year Kate will not have been studying Spanish for 3 years. - By the end of this year, Kate will not have studied Spanish for three years.

By the time you bring them coffee they will not have been eating cake for 15 minutes. - By the time you bring them coffee, they won't eat the cake for 15 minutes.

We won't have been living here for 5 years by next June. - We will not have lived here for 5 years by next June.

Future Perfect Continuous: markers

Future Perfect Continuous markers- these are most often whole phrases, that is, quite cumbersome constructions, although there are also individual words. It is not difficult to remember the indicators of the future perfect continuous tense. In fact, the list of markers of this time includes a couple of words and several similar constructions.

Time indicators Future Perfect Continuous. List

  • Till and until (not yet).I will have been watching TV until you come. - I'll watch TV until you come.
  • for 2 (3, 4, 5...) hours (for/already 2, 3, 4, 5... hours).When you arrive, Julia will have been working for 5 hours. - When you arrive, Julia will have been working for 5 hours.
  • for 2 (3, 4, 5...) weeks (for/already 2, 3, 4, 5... weeks).By the end of the summer the workers will have been constructing this swimming pool for 3 weeks. - By the end of summer, workers will have been building the pool for 3 weeks.
  • for a year (2, 3, 4... years) - during the year (2, 3, 4 years).By the end of the year they will not have been dating for 2 years. By the end of the year, they will not have dated for 2 years.
  • by the end of the hour (by the end of the hour).By the end of the hour she will have been waiting for him for 30 minutes. - By the end of the hour she will have been waiting for him for 30 minutes.
  • by the end of the morning/evening (by the end of the morning/evening).By the end of the morning I will have been waiting for more than 3 hours. - By the end of the morning I will have been waiting for more than 3 hours.
  • by the end of the day (by the end of the day).By the end of the day my mother will have been cooking for 5 hours. - By the end of the day, my mother will have been cooking for 5 hours.
  • by the end of the month (by the end of the month).By the end of the month I will have been studying English for 10 days. - By the end of the month I will be learning English for 10 days.
  • by the end of the year (by the end of the year).By the end of the year John will have been working there for 10 month. - By the end of the year, John will have been working there for 10 months.

It turns out that to identify Future Perfect Continuous is helped by indicator words till/until and phrases starting with the prepositions for and by. That is, if the statement says that by the end of a certain period or/and during a certain time interval actions will take place, then most likely we are talking about the future perfect continuous tense.

Examples with Future Perfect Continuous

In order to get used to the peculiarities of this time, it is recommended to read as much as possible and compose sentences on your own. To begin with, you can take ready-made examples, adapting them to your life situations. When buildingFuture Perfect Continuous indicator wordsextremely important. Without them, the sentence of the future perfect continuous will be incomplete. We can turn to this time to describe both ordinary situations related to work, study, leisure, and to predict some important events from the world of science and art that will happen in the future. Here are some more example sentences with the Future Perfect Continuous:

  1. Betsy won't have been living in London for five years next summer. - By next summer, Betsy won't have lived in London for five years.
  2. By 10 o"clock Jacky will have been writing the article for 3 hours non-stop. - By 10 o'clock Jacky will have been writing the article for three hours non-stop.
  3. They won't have been waiting for more than 3 hours when their train finally arrives. - They won't wait more than 3 hours when their train finally arrives.
  4. By the end of the month my aunt will have been living with her husband for 10 years. - By the end of the month, my aunt will have been living with her husband for 10 years.
  5. Next week this American scientist will have been studying the human brain for 5 years. - Next week it will be 5 years since this American scientist has been studying the human brain.
  6. For how many years will James have been taking part in the Film Festival in Moscow by that time? - How many years will James take part in the film festival in Moscow by then?
  7. When my parents come home my brother will have been talking to his friend for 3 hours. - When my parents come home, my brother will talk to his friend for 3 hours.
  8. How long will you have been talking to your friend when the film starts? - How long will you talk to your friend when the movie starts?
  9. She won"t have been listening to music for 2 hours when you come. - She won’t listen to music for 2 hours when you come.
  10. By the end of the year people will not have been living on the moon for a year. - By the end of the year, people will not live on the moon for a year.
  11. By July I will have been studying English for five months. - By July I will have been studying English for five months.
  12. He will have been working at that company for 5 years when it finally closes. - He will work for this company for 5 years when it finally closes.

In addition to the above-mentioned time markers starting with the words by the end, the preposition for, as well as the conjunction when (when), in the presented examples you can also notice the followingFuture Perfect Continuous tense indicators, such as the adjective next, which is generally characteristic of the future.

It is important to understand that some sentences in the Future Perfect Continuous may sound ridiculous when translated literally into Russian. A Russian-speaking person is unlikely to say that by the end of this month his aunt will have been married to his uncle for 10 years. After all, this same idea can be formulated much more simply by saying that at the end of the month it is the relatives’ wedding anniversary. This is why translating phrases with the Future Perfect Continuous can sometimes cause some difficulties. To avoid this, it is important to understand in what cases this tense is used.