Future Perfect Continuous
The future perfect continuous tense describes an action that will have been ongoing for a period of time before a specific point in the future.
Key Takeaway: This tense emphasizes the duration of an action that will be completed in the future.
What is Future Perfect Continuous?
The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that will have been in progress for a specific duration before a particular time in the future. It emphasizes both the completion of the action and its ongoing nature.
Structure:
- Subject + will + have + been + verb-ing
- Example: "I will have been studying for three hours by 5 PM."
- Used to show duration of an action up to a future point
- Often includes time expressions like "for," "since," "by"
When to Use Future Perfect Continuous
1. Duration of Action
To show how long an action will have been happening:
- By next month, I will have been working here for five years.
- She will have been studying for six hours by dinner time.
2. Ongoing Action at Future Point
To describe an action that will still be in progress:
- By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for two hours.
- They will have been traveling for a week by Friday.
3. Cause and Effect
To explain the result of a long-term action:
- By the end of the year, he will have been saving money for a house.
- She will have been practicing piano for ten years by her recital.
Examples of Future Perfect Continuous
By next week, I will have been studying English for three years.
She will have been working at the company for a decade by December.
By the time you get home, I will have been cooking dinner for two hours.
They will have been living in this city for five years by next month.
By the end of the day, he will have been driving for eight hours.
She will have been teaching for twenty years by her retirement.
By midnight, we will have been watching movies for six hours.
He will have been running his business for fifteen years by next year.
Time Expressions Used
Common Time Expressions:
Duration:
- for + period of time
- since + point in time
- all day/week/month
Future Point:
- by + time/date
- by the time + clause
- by then
- by the end of
Example Sentences:
- By next month, I will have been working here for five years.
- She will have been studying since morning by the time you call.
- By the end of the week, they will have been traveling all week.
Worksheet 1: Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the correct future perfect continuous form:
1. By next year, I _____ (work) at this company for ten years.
Show Answer
Answer: will have been working
2. She _____ (study) for six hours by the time you arrive.
Show Answer
Answer: will have been studying
3. By the end of the month, they _____ (live) in this house for five years.
Show Answer
Answer: will have been living
4. He _____ (drive) for eight hours by the time he reaches home.
Show Answer
Answer: will have been driving
5. By her birthday, she _____ (practice) piano for ten years.
Show Answer
Answer: will have been practicing
Worksheet 2: Identify the Tense
Identify which sentences use the future perfect continuous tense:
1. "I will have been working here for five years by next month."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect Continuous (will have been + verb-ing)
2. "I will work here for five years."
Show Answer
Answer: No - Simple Future (will + base form)
3. "She will have been studying since morning."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect Continuous (will have been + verb-ing)
4. "They have been working here for five years."
Show Answer
Answer: No - Present Perfect Continuous (have been + verb-ing)
5. "By the end of the day, he will have been driving for eight hours."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect Continuous (will have been + verb-ing)
Tips for Using Future Perfect Continuous
Use with time expressions
Always include time expressions like "for," "since," "by," or "by the time" to show duration and future point.
Emphasize duration
This tense is perfect when you want to emphasize how long an action will have been happening.
Consider the context
Use this tense when you need to show both the completion and ongoing nature of an action in the future.
Practice regularly
This is a complex tense, so practice using it in different contexts to become comfortable with it.