Future Perfect Tense

When to use the future perfect tense?

You need to use the future perfect tense when speaking about situations that will certainly occur before the start of something else. Mostly, you need to use (by) as shown in the following example:

Example: 

By the time I arrive, he will have finished his work.

Explanation: 

The work finishes before my arrival. This is what I meant by finishing something before the start of another thing.

How to use the future perfect tense?

Let’s have a look at the future perfect tense rules to learn more about the structure:

Subject + will + have + past participle

*You can use (by) in the beginning or the end of the sentence.

*Don’t use (has) because of (will). So, you need to use (have) with all the subjects.

Let’s have a look at the following examples to learn more about the use of future perfect tense: 

She will have finished reading by this afternoon.

They will have moved to their new home by December.

I will have left the office by the evening.

By 12:00 pm, the work will have been done.

By next year, he will have graduated.

Explanation: 

*You can use (by + specific time) 👉 by 2:00 pm/ by next year/ by this summer/ by tomorrow/ by next week, and more.

*You can use (by the time)

How to form questions using the future perfect tense?

To create questions using the future perfect tense, you need to use the following structure:

Will + subject + have + past participle + by

Let’s have a look at the following future perfect tense examples to learn more about it:

Will you have been able to finish the work by the afternoon?

Will he have managed to present by tomorrow morning?

Will they have attended the meeting by 10:00 am?

Will she have moved to the new house by January, next year?

How to form negative sentences using the future perfect tense?

You need to follow this structure:

Subject + will + not + have + past participle

*You need to either start or end the sentence with (by).

Let’s have a look at the following future perfect tense negative examples:

By next month, she will not have finished the course.

By tomorrow night, I will not have been able to submit the report.

My friends will not have arrived by the time I come home.

You will not have reached the destination by sunset.

*You can use the complete form (have not/ has not) or the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t), it depends on the person you speak with. Professionally and in formal settings, use the complete form. When speaking informally with family, friends, chatting, etc use the contraction form.

I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the use of future perfect tense or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained another English grammar topic here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂

Have a great day & take care!