The Future Perfect

When do we need the Future Perfect?

This tense is used less than 5% of the time - so don't overuse it!

When we do use it, it is for an action that will be over before or by a definite time in the future.

  • We use Future Perfect to say that something will already have happened before a certain time in the future. "Next August we will have been married for 6 years." The definite time in the future is usually mentioned in the sentence.

Diagram

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General Overview

Key word

The word "by" is often used with this tense.

How do I make the tense?

The Future Perfect is formed with the helping verb "will have" and the third form of the verb.

Which helping verb do I use?

will have

Here are examples of:

 

Statements:

  • By this time next month I will have lived here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month you will have lived here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month he will have lived here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month she will have lived here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month it will have stayed here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month we will have lived here for 3 years.
  • By this time next month they will have lived here for 3 years.

Questions:

  • How long will I have lived here by this time next month?
  • How long will you have lived here by this time next month?
  • How long will she have lived here by this time next month?
  • How long will he have lived here by this time next month?
  • How long will that boat have been here by this time next month?
  • How long will we have lived here by this time next month?
  • How long will they have lived here by this time next month?

Negatives:

  • I will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.
  • You will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.
  • She will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.
  • He will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.
  • It will not have (won't have ) stayed here 5 years by this time next month.
  • We will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.
  • They will not have (won't have ) lived here 5 years by this time next month.

Short answers

  • Yes, I will have.
  • Yes, she will have.
  • No, I will not have .
  • No, I won't have
  • No, she will not have .
  • No, she won't have .