In this blog post, you will learn about the future perfect tense in English, including its structure and usage. This tense is used to describe actions that will be completed before a certain point in the future. Understanding how the future perfect tense works will help you improve your grammar and communication skills.
What is the Future Perfect Tense?
The action will be completed in the future before another is completed.
When you want to talk about an action that will happen before a certain point in the future, you will need to use the future perfect tense.
The future perfect is a verb form or construction used to describe an event that is expected or planned to happen before a time of reference in the future.
In English, the future perfect construction consists of the auxiliary verb “will” (shall) to mark the future, the auxiliary verb “have” to mark the perfect, and the past participle of the main verb.
Structure of Future Perfect Tense
For Positive Sentences:
- S + will + have + past participle + …
Example:
- I will have finished my report by the end of this month.
For Negative Sentences:
- S + will + not + have + past participle + …
Example:
- He will not have done it by this evening.
For Question forms:
- Will + S + have + past participle + …
Example:
- Will you have written me a letter?
How to Use the Future Perfect Tense
Learn how and when to use the future perfect tense in English with grammar rules and example sentences.
The future perfect is used:
1. To talk about an action that will finish before a certain time in the future
Example:
- By eight o’clock tomorrow, I’ll have taken off for Japan.
2. To talk about an action that will be completed before another event takes place
Example:
- She will have learned Chinese before she moves to China.
3. To express the conviction that something happened in the near past
Example:
- The guests will have arrived at the hotel by now. (I’m sure the guests have arrived at the hotel.)
Time Expressions Used with Future Perfect Tense
- By + …
- By the time
- Before
- Until/till
- By then
- By the end of + …
- By tomorrow
Future Perfect Tense Chart
FAQs about Future Perfect Tense
1. What is the future perfect tense?
The future perfect tense shows an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It uses “will have” followed by the past participle of the verb.
2. How do you form the future perfect tense?
To form the future perfect tense, use “will have” followed by the past participle of the verb. Example: “She will have finished the project by next week.”
3. When do we use the future perfect tense?
We use the future perfect tense to talk about actions that will be completed before a certain future time. Example: “I will have eaten by 8 PM.”
4. What are examples of future perfect tense sentences?
Examples: “By the end of the day, he will have completed his homework.” “They will have moved to their new house by next month.”
5. Can the future perfect tense be used with time expressions?
Yes, it is often used with time expressions like “by,” “before,” and “when” to show the completion of an action. Example: “She will have left by the time you arrive.”
6. What is the difference between future perfect and future continuous tense?
The future perfect shows a completed action before a future time, while the future continuous shows an action in progress at a specific time. Example: “He will have left” vs. “He will be leaving.”
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