Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense describes an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.
Key Takeaway: This tense shows that an action will be finished by a certain future point.
What is Future Perfect Tense?
The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time or event in the future. It emphasizes the completion of an action by a certain future point.
Structure:
- Subject + will + have + past participle
- Example: "I will have finished my homework by 8 PM."
- Used to show completion before a future time
- Often includes time expressions like "by," "before," "by the time"
When to Use Future Perfect Tense
1. Completed Action by Future Time
To show that an action will be finished by a specific future time:
- By next week, I will have finished reading this book.
- She will have completed the project by Friday.
2. Duration Up to Future Point
To show how long something will have lasted:
- By the end of the year, I will have worked here for ten years.
- They will have been married for twenty years by next month.
3. Assumptions About Past
To make assumptions about what has happened:
- He will have arrived home by now.
- They will have received our message by this time.
Examples of Future Perfect Tense
By next month, I will have graduated from college.
She will have finished cooking dinner by 7 PM.
They will have moved to their new house by the end of the week.
By the time you arrive, I will have cleaned the entire apartment.
He will have completed the marathon by noon.
We will have saved enough money for vacation by summer.
By her birthday, she will have learned to drive.
They will have published their book by next year.
Time Expressions Used
Common Time Expressions:
By + Time/Date:
- by next week/month/year
- by 5 PM/tomorrow/next Friday
- by the end of the day
- by then
By the time + Clause:
- by the time you arrive
- by the time we get there
- by the time she finishes
- by the time it starts
Example Sentences:
- By next month, I will have finished my course.
- She will have completed the work by Friday.
- By the time you arrive, I will have prepared everything.
Worksheet 1: Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the correct future perfect form:
1. By next year, I _____ (graduate) from university.
Show Answer
Answer: will have graduated
2. She _____ (finish) her homework by dinner time.
Show Answer
Answer: will have finished
3. By the end of the month, they _____ (move) to their new house.
Show Answer
Answer: will have moved
4. He _____ (complete) the project by Friday.
Show Answer
Answer: will have completed
5. By the time you arrive, I _____ (clean) the entire house.
Show Answer
Answer: will have cleaned
Worksheet 2: Identify the Tense
Identify which sentences use the future perfect tense:
1. "I will have finished my work by 5 PM."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect (will have + past participle)
2. "I will finish my work by 5 PM."
Show Answer
Answer: No - Simple Future (will + base form)
3. "She will have completed the course by next month."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect (will have + past participle)
4. "They have finished their homework."
Show Answer
Answer: No - Present Perfect (have + past participle)
5. "By the time you arrive, I will have prepared dinner."
Show Answer
Answer: Yes - Future Perfect (will have + past participle)
Worksheet 3: Create Future Perfect Sentences
Create future perfect sentences using the given information:
1. Action: finish reading a book, Time: by next week
Show Answer
Answer: By next week, I will have finished reading the book.
2. Action: save money, Time: by the end of the year
Show Answer
Answer: By the end of the year, I will have saved enough money.
3. Action: complete the project, Time: by Friday
Show Answer
Answer: By Friday, we will have completed the project.
4. Action: learn to drive, Time: by her birthday
Show Answer
Answer: By her birthday, she will have learned to drive.
5. Action: arrive home, Time: by the time you call
Show Answer
Answer: By the time you call, I will have arrived home.
Tips for Using Future Perfect Tense
Use time expressions
Always include time expressions like "by," "before," or "by the time" to show when the action will be completed.
Focus on completion
This tense emphasizes that an action will be finished by a certain time, not just that it will happen.
Use with plans and predictions
Perfect for talking about what you expect to have accomplished by a future time.
Practice with real situations
Use this tense when making plans or discussing deadlines to become more comfortable with it.