Future Perfect
Listed below are uses with examples, and the structure of the future perfect tense.
Something that will have happened up to a future point in time
I will have finished three chapters by tomorrow.
Peter will have been to five countries after this tour is finished.
Important Notes:
- Use a future time clause (by the time + simple present) in combination with the future perfect.
Jake will have finished the report by the time you arrive.
- If you need to express how much or how many have been completed, used, etc. use the future perfect form. Use the future perfect continuous to express how long something will have been happening up to another point in time.
She will have held three positions (future perfect = amount) by the time she receives her next promotion.
She will have been working for three hours (future perfect continuous = length of time) by seven this morning!
Common time expressions used with the future perfect:
by the time + time clause with the simple present, by + date or time
Structure
Positive
Subject + will + have + participle
I, You, He, She, We, They will have completed the project by the time she arrives.
Negative
Subject + will + not + have + participle
I, You, He, She, We, They won't have finished the exam by the end of this class.
Questions
Question word (often 'How much or How many') + will + subject + have + participle
How much will he, she, you, we, they have spent by the time he arrives?
