Future Perfect Tense

1. Forms of the Future Perfect Tense

There are three main forms: affirmative, negative, and interrogative.

A. Affirmative Form

Structure: Subject + will have + past participle

• I will have walked.
• You will have finished.
• He will have studied.
• She will have called.
• It will have stopped.
• We will have traveled.
• You will have listened.
• They will have read.

B. Negative Form

Structure: Subject + will not (won’t) have + past participle

• I won’t have walked.
• You won’t have finished.
• He won’t have studied.
• She won’t have called.
• It won’t have stopped.
• We won’t have traveled.
• You won’t have listened.
• They won’t have read.

C. Interrogative Form

Structure: Will + subject + have + past participle?

• Will I have walked?
• Will you have finished?
• Will he have studied?
• Will she have called?
• Will it have stopped?
• Will we have traveled?
• Will you have listened?
• Will they have read?

2. Usages of the Future Perfect Tense

A. Emphasizing Completion

Use this tense to show that an action will be finished by a specific future time.

• I will have completed the report by 5 p.m.
• She will have finished studying by the end of the day.
• They will have departed by midnight.
• We will have celebrated our anniversary by next month.
• He will have graduated by June.
• The chef will have prepared the meal by dinnertime.
• I will have read three chapters by bedtime.
• She will have called all the clients by noon.
• They will have landed by morning.
• She will have filmed all the scenes by tomorrow.

B. Future Accomplishments or Milestones

This tense highlights achievements or milestones expected to be completed by a certain time.

• He will have earned his degree by next year.
• They will have won three championships by next season.
• She will have completed five years at her job by June.
• I will have read 50 books by the end of the year.
• The band will have released 10 albums by next year.
• He will have driven 100,000 miles by the end of summer.
• We will have celebrated our silver anniversary.
• She will have made 500 calls by the end of the project.
• They will have finished their research by next semester.
• You will have moved into your new house by winter.

C. Expectations Based on a Plan

Use this tense to express expected outcomes based on a schedule or plan.

• She will have reviewed the documents before the meeting.
• They will have finished editing the film by next week.
• I will have submitted the application by the deadline.
• We will have contacted all clients by Tuesday.
• He will have checked into his flight by then.
• You will have prepared the presentation by morning.
• They will have packed their belongings by Friday.
• She will have cooked all the dishes by noon.
• I will have revised my notes before the test.
• We will have discussed all topics by the end of the call.

D. Emphasizing Duration and Completion

This use emphasizes how long an action will have been ongoing and that it will be finished by a specific time.

• By June, he will have studied for four years.
• By midnight, she will have read for hours.
• By the end of the year, they will have trained for six months.
• We will have traveled to five countries by then.
• She will have practiced singing for hours.
• He will have written three reports by the end of the week.
• I will have driven across the country by next month.
• By evening, she will have spoken to 20 clients.
• They will have built the entire wall by tomorrow.
• She will have painted for hours by noon.

3. Time Indicators

Time indicators help us specify when the action will be completed or how long it will last.

A. Using “By [Specific Time]”

“By” shows the deadline or specific time by which the action is finished.

• I will have submitted the report by 5 p.m.
• She will have contacted everyone by evening.
• We will have reached Paris by tomorrow morning.
• They will have studied for the test by Thursday.
• He will have graduated by June.
• They will have moved in by the end of the month.
• I will have fixed the car by the weekend.
• She will have completed filming by next week.
• He will have read the entire book by Friday.
• We will have cooked dinner by 7 p.m.

B. Using “Before”

“Before” emphasizes that an action will be completed ahead of another event.

• They will have arrived before the sun rises.
• She will have filmed all scenes before the deadline.
• I will have finished studying before the weekend.
• We will have prepared food before guests arrive.
• They will have set up everything before the party starts.
• She will have made all calls before lunchtime.
• He will have practiced before the performance.
• We will have organized the house before noon.
• You will have read the chapter before class.
• They will have discussed everything before the meeting.

C. Using “By the Time”

“By the time” shows that one action will be completed before another event occurs.

• By the time he graduates, he will have written a thesis.
• By the time we arrive, they will have set the table.
• By the time she calls, I will have left.
• By the time the team finishes, they will have won three matches.
• By the time he reaches the city, he will have driven 100 miles.
• By the time we submit, we will have double-checked it.
• By the time they move, they will have sold the old house.
• By the time the exam arrives, she will have revised thoroughly.
• By the time the party begins, we will have decorated.
• By the time we discuss it, I will have read the entire article.