The future perfect tenses
The future perfect simple
Definition
The future perfect simple is to look back from a point in the future to the period before that point and when the action is seen as a whole.
Formation
In affirmative statements:
WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:
- We will have worked here for forty years.
- I shall have passed on the ring.
In negative statements:
WILL NOT + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:
- You will not have worked long enough for a full pension.
- I will not have passed the exam.
In questions and answers:
WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
WILL is repeated in short answers.
Examples:
- Will you have finished the job by tonight? No, I will not.
- What part of the job will you have finished by tonight?
Exercises on the future perfect simple
The future perfect continuous
Definition
The future perfect continuous is to look back from a point in the future to the period before that point and to say that an action will have been going on for some time.
Formation
In affirmative statements:
WILL + HAVE + BEEN + ING-FORM
Examples:
- We will have been working here for forty years.
- I will have been playing the violin for a long time.
In negative statements:
WILL NOT + HAVE + BEEN + ING-FORM
Examples:
- You will not have been playing the violin.
- I will not have been working long enough for a long pension.
In questions and answers:
WILL + HAVE + BEEN + ING-FORM
WILL is repeated in short answers.
Examples:
- Will you have been working all day? No, I won't
- What part of the job will you have been working on?